The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their struggling offense may have hit yet another snag. Wide receiver Julio Jones missed his second practice of the week Thursday, jeopardizing his availability for his team's Week 15 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
#Bucs practice moved indoors. No DT Vita Vea (calf), CB Jamel Dean (toe), S Mike Edwards or WR Julio Jones during portion open to media. S Antoine Winfield Jr and CB Sean Murphy-Bunting are here and appear prepared to practice.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) December 15, 2022
Jones has appeared in eight games for the Bucs this season while playing in about half of the offensive snaps over those contests. He has hauled in 22 receptions for 289 yards for a modest 7.3 yards per target.
Struggles with health and availability have become a recurring problem for Jones in recent years: he has missed 19 games since 2020. The Buccaneers gambled this offseason that he might prove a difference-maker in a reduced role, but his unreliability has turned out to be just another problem for them to juggle. They rank 28th in points scored this season because of the inconsistent health of their pass catchers, the misery of their last-ranked rushing attack, and the inadequacy and timidness of their playcalling.
Jones joined the Buccaneers on a one-year deal earlier this year after being released by the Tennessee Titans. Before his recent health troubles, he was one of NFL history's most dominant wide receivers: he averaged an astonishing 96.2 receiving yards per game over the first 126 appearances of his career. A seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, he's a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.
Photo Credit: © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.jpg)
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