Falcons' Jones making return to practice

Julio Jones appears to be making some steady progress in his recovery from a toe injury.

The Atlanta Falcons' star wide receiver will be back on the practice field Tuesday after sitting out the last two weeks, head coach Dan Quinn announced.

An official designation on his participation level won't be available until Wednesday, and he may well end up being a limited participant in his return to on-field work, but Jones is certainly now headed in the right direction either way.

Taking part throughout the week should give him a chance to return for Saturday's game against the Carolina Panthers or, at the very least, the regular-season finale against the New Orleans Saints.

"Julio really wants to get out and compete with the guys," Quinn told reporters. "So we're certainly hopeful that we'll have him."

Barring any limitations to his workload, returning to action this week could immediately have the three-time Pro Bowler primed for another productive showing. Jones was unstoppable in Atlanta's first meeting with the Panthers earlier this season, hauling in 12 receptions for a career-best 300 yards and one touchdown.