Jul 28, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Julio Jones (85) works out during training camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles on Julio Jones: 'He's kind of returned to his old self'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 9/6/22

In just 10 games last year, Julio Jones posted career lows in targets (48), receptions (31), receiving yards (434) and receiving touchdowns (one). Despite this, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went out and signed the 33-year-old wide receiver to a one-year contract in late July.

Soon after signing with his new team, Jones said he was 100% healthy and had "no issues lingering."

Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles recently discussed the addition of the seven-time Pro Bowler.

"He can play," the coach said, per Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith. "He’s kind of returned to his old self."

When asked how many years he thought Jones had left in the NFL, Bowles said "That’s a good question. I think Tom (Brady) has set the bar high."

Brady of course, recently turned 45 and is still playing at an elite level.

"The 33-year-old Jones has struggled to stay healthy, missing seven games in each of the last two seasons, but Bowles said that while Jones was out of shape when he arrived at Bucs camp, he is now looking like he did when he was an All-Pro in 2015 and 2016 with the Falcons," Michael David Smith wrote.

Brady, Jones and the rest of the Buccaneers open up their 2022 regular season on the road against the Dallas Cowboys at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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