Quinn not rushing Jones, Freeman back
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. » Falcons coach Dan Quinn says there’s no need to rush Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman back to play in an exhibition game.
When Atlanta opens the regular season Sept. 10 at Chicago, Quinn is confident both players will be ready.
Jones, a two-time All-Pro receiver, is finally practicing at 100 percent following right foot surgery in March. After having his reps limited in training camp, Jones is taking all the snaps with the first-team offense.
Freeman, a two-time Pro Bowl running back, is in the NFL concussion protocol and might not be in uniform until the opener. He took a hard hit in the first preseason game two weeks ago at Miami, though the team didn’t know the extent of Freeman’s injury until he left practice early a few days later.
“He’s back to full speed running,” Quinn said Wednesday. “Soon he’ll be participating full speed in practice but you won’t see him suited up this weekend.”
When Atlanta (0-2 preseason) hosts Arizona (12) on Saturday in the first game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, there’s a chance that Jones will play, but Quinn and his star receiver will wait a couple more days to decide.
“I’m a professional,” Jones said. “I’ll be ready to go. Being out here practicing against these guys every day is like preseason to me. I don’t take any plays off. No lollygagging around. It’s full speed.”
Quinn will use the next two preseason games to determine who will fill out the depth chart. He’s concerned with finding dependable reserves at running back, on the offensive line and in the secondary.
Raiders’ LT Donald Penn ends holdout
ALAMEDA » Pro Bowl left tackle Donald Penn has ended his holdout with the Oakland Raiders.
Penn reported for practice on Wednesday after holding out for 26 days. Penn was looking for an improved contract but general manager Reggie McKenzie said earlier in training camp that he would not negotiate a new deal with Penn until he arrived at camp.
The Raiders could have fined Penn $40,000 for each day of camp he missed but the team is not expected to do that.
The 34-year-old Penn is entering the final year of an $11.9 million, two-year contract. He is scheduled to earn $5.8 million in base salary this season with another $1.3 million in incentives and bonuses.
Penn is coming off his second Pro Bowl season after being part of an offensive line that allowed a league-low 18 sacks in 2017. He revitalized his career in Oakland after signing in 2014 following his release from Tampa Bay.
Penn allowed only one sack in 2016, during Week 16 against Indianapolis, but it was a pivotal one: Quarterback Derek Carr suffered a season-ending broken right fibula on the play.
Jaguars bench Bortles, turn to Henne
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. » Chad Henne will start Jacksonville’s preseason game against Carolina, a change that could signal the end of Blake Bortles’ career with the Jaguars.
Coach Doug Marrone made the announcement Wednesday, a day before the exhibition and nearly a week after he created a quarterback competition in Jacksonville for the first time since 2013. Marrone said both quarterbacks will get time with the first-team offense.
Henne, a 10-year veteran whose last start came in 2014, outperformed Bortles during training camp and through two preseason games. If Henne plays well against the Panthers, he likely will start the Sept. 10 season opener at Houston.