Julio Jones Makes His Case for Comeback Player of the Year After Monster Week 3

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones absolutely went off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Thursday night NFL Week 3 opener, racking up an impressive 161 yards receiving with two touchdowns on nine receptions.

Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
9	161	17.9	2

It's probably safe to say that if you have Jones on your fantasy team, you're pretty happy with your draft-day selection.

The Falcons should also be happy that they chose to draft Jones back in 2011, even though the trade to acquire his pick cost the team two first-rounders and five total draft picks.

Of course, Atlanta hasn't always enjoyed such incredible returns on the investment they made in Jones. The former Alabama star only appeared in five games last season after suffering a season-ending foot injury.

The injury was clearly an issue that couldn't be avoided, and Jones did amass 580 yards and two scores in his five appearances, but the fact remains that the talented pass-catcher was unavailable for 11 games on the season.

With last season appearing only in the rear-view mirror, this fact is only important now because it makes Jones a candidate for the annual Comeback Player of the Year Award.

The award is given to one player each year who has exhibited excellence and shown perseverance in overcoming adversity. It's hard to argue that battling back from season-ending surgery doesn't qualify as a case of besting adversity.

It is also hard to argue that Jones' spectacular Thursday night performance doesn't make him an immediate candidate for the Comeback Player of the Year Award.

Through three games, Jones has already put up 365 yards and three touchdowns, easily making him one of the more impressive offensive players of this young NFL season.

	Rec	Yds	TD
2013	41	580	2
2014 through Week 3	23	365	3

The fact that he has fought back from so much time on the sideline and in rehabilitation makes Jones' early production all the more impressive.