Tampa Bay adds Julio Jones to group of outstanding receivers

TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady is getting another big target to make another run at the Super Bowl.

The Bucs are signing former Falcons and Titans receiver Julio Jones to a one-year contract, the Tampa Bay Times confirmed.

Jones, 33, was traded from the Falcons to the Titans last season but was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring strain after producing his only receiving touchdown in Week 18 against the Texans.

But the seven-time Pro Bowl player is considered one of the best pass catchers in NFL history with 13,330 receiving yards and 61 career touchdowns.

Jones joins a deep stable of receivers that includes Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who won’t have to begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

Godwin was having the best season of his career in 2021, and because of the type of player and person he is, nobody resented him for it.

He was three catches shy of his first 100-reception season and led the Bucs with 1,103 yards and five touchdowns.

Godwin was set to become a free agent again, and having been given the franchise player tag in 2021, was poised for a big payday.

Then while trying to catch a pass from Brady in the middle of the field in what became a 9-0 loss to the Saints Dec. 20, Godwin was struck on his right knee by New Orleans safety P.J. Williams. The breathtaking blow tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments of his right knee, ending his season.

But Godwin has made so much progress that the Bucs did not feel the need to place him on the physically unable to perform list by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.

The same holds true for linebacker Lavonte David, who is recovering from a Lisfranc foot injury that he said limited to about 60 percent in the NFC divisional playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Both players will be closely monitored, but the fact that neither had to begin training camp on the PUP list is a very encouraging sign.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) has made so much progress recuperating from his December 2021 injury that the Bucs did not feel the need to place him on the physically unable to perform list by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)AP

Last week, the Bucs placed cornerback Don Gardner and guard Sadarius Hutcherson on the PUP list shortly after reporting to camp.

The target for Godwin is the Bucs regular-season opener at Dallas Sept. 11 and the Bucs are pleased enough with his rehab progress that they are “hopeful,” he could play against the Cowboys.

Despite his injury, the Bucs were confident enough that Godwin would make a full recovery this season that they signed him to a three-year, $60 million extension after removing the franchise player tag.

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times wrote this story.

©2022 Tampa Bay Times. Visit tampabay.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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