NFL report: Julio Jones misses another practice but vows to play in Falcons’ game against Packers

Atlanta Falcons All-Pro receiver Julio Jones missed his second day of practice Thursday because a sprained left toe. He said it’s no big deal.

Jones is confident he will be ready Sunday when Atlanta faces Green Bay in the NFC championship game.

In the fourth quarter of last week’s win over Seattle, Jones left the game and didn’t return, but he wasn’t concerned after doctors examined him a few minutes later.

“I got a little snag, and I was like, ‘Let’s go check it out,’” he said. “But it’s fine. I’ll be ready to go.”

Jones was initially injured Dec. 4 in a home loss to Kansas City. He missed Weeks 14 and 15 with a similar injury, but has averaged 74 yards and scored two touchdowns in three games since.

Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams also missed a second day of practice because of an ankle injury, and he might not know until warmups Sunday whether he’ll be able to play.

Adams hurt the ankle during the 34-31 win last week against the Dallas Cowboys. He said that he’s feeling better, though he was unsure whether he will feel well enough by Saturday to take part in Green Bay’s final practice of the week.

Receiver Jordy Nelson practiced on a limited basis for a second straight day. He missed the Cowboys game with broken ribs. Nelson led the team this season with an NFL-high 14 touchdown catches, while Adams had 12. They were quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ top two targets in the Packers’ prolific passing attack.

Rookie receiver Geronimo Allison (hamstring) also missed a second straight day of practice. The Packers are left with starter Randall Cobb, third-year player Jeff Janis and rookie Trevor Davis at receiver.

“In the regular-season mindset, I would think none of them would play in this game,” Coach Mike McCarthy said of his injured players. “But obviously this is a different time and this is a different point where we are in the season. Everybody understands what’s on the line here.”

Luck has shoulder surgery

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has undergone surgery on the right shoulder that’s bothered him the past two seasons.

Colts owner Jim Irsay announced on Twitter that Luck was recovering from successful outpatient surgery. Irsay says Luck will be ready for the 2017 season.

Luck was listed on the Colts injury report throughout this season and missed several practices, with Coach Chuck Pagano saying the team had a plan for keeping Luck healthy while he dealt with a sore throwing shoulder.

Luck missed two games early in the 2015 season because of the shoulder injury. He threw for 4,240 yards and 31 touchdowns this season after signing a six-year, $140-million contract in June.

Etc.

Kyle Shanahan plans to talk again with the San Francisco 49ers about their head coaching vacancy, with all signs pointing to the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator landing the job. Shanahan is the only apparent candidate for the last available head coaching position in the NFL. If the Atlanta defeats the Green Bay Packer in the NFC championship game on Sunday, Shanahan would have time for a follow-up meeting before the Falcons head to Houston for the Feb. 5 Super Bowl. He couldn’t take over the job until Atlanta’s season ends. … The Chicago Bears have hired three new assistant coaches: Jeremiah Washburn replaces Dave Magazu as offensive line coach, Curtis Modkins was hired to replace Stan Drayton as running backs coach and Roy Anderson joined the staff as assistant secondary coach. …

Newly hired Buffalo Bills Coach Sean McDermott is turning his offense over to former Denver Broncos coordinator Rick Dennison, who has 22 year of NFL coaching experience, including the last two running the Broncos’ offense. Dennison has been a coach on Denver’s three Super Bowl-winning teams, including as a special teams assistant in 1997 and ’98. … The Cleveland Browns have hired four new assistant coaches: Jerod Kruse (assistant defensive backs), Clyde Simmons (defensive line), DeWayne Walker (defensive backs) and Bob Wylie (offensive line).