Fantasy Football Week 12: Julio Jones Ready to Get Back to Relevance

The last time Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Julio Jones played a full game, he burned the Indianapolis Colts for two long touchdowns in Week 9. After missing most of the last two weeks, he is ready to pick up right where he left off in Week 12.

Jones has another plus matchup against a weak Minnesota Vikings secondary this week. Not to mention that Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan has been on a role as of late.

There was high expectations for Jones among fantasy owners this season. The Falcons were supposed to open up their passing game more in 2011, leaving Jones as a player with great upside.

However, injuries to both of his hamstrings have limited Jones' appeal throughout the season. He has missed three full games and has been limited in a couple other ones. His inconsistency and a drop in play by Roddy White has forced head coach Mike Smith to stick with the run-first philosophy.

When he has been healthy, Jones has been able to put up some nice numbers due to his stellar separation skills. The touchdowns against the Colts have been his only scores, however, and he needs a strong finish to come close to the output his owners expected this season.

Jones has a couple of nice matchups on the schedule in the season's final weeks, and it's not a stretch to see him emerging as a top-15 WR play in fantasy leagues. With the struggles of White, Ryan should be looking for the talented rookie often.

The Alabama product returned to a limited practice on Thursday, but said he felt good and he looked sharp. Barring a setback, he will start and assume a full complement of snaps on Sunday.