ATLANTA - Todd Gurley marveled at the way a healthy Julio Jones made playing football look like a video game.
Gurley also was impressed that a healthy Jones helped the Atlanta Falcons finally not only look like but finish as winners.
After missing all but one half of the previous three games because of a hamstring injury, the veteran wide receiver made a huge impact in last Sunday's 40-23 road win against the Minnesota Vikings, the Falcons' first victory after an 0-5 start and the firing of Dan Quinn as head coach. Jones returned with eight catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns.
It was a strong reminder of the value of a healthy Jones, including in this Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.
After missing practice Wednesday, Jones returned Thursday and spoke with enthusiasm about his recovery from the injury.
"Now I can go out, I can produce, I can be me, I can have fun," Jones said. "Lean on me. You can lean on me throughout the game. Everything. I'm ready to go. It's a great feeling. It's a great spot to be in."
It's good news for quarterback Matt Ryan, Gurley and Atlanta's other playmakers on offense.
Gurley, the former University of Georgia and Los Angeles Rams running back in his first season in Atlanta, already knew Jones, an All-Pro first-team pick in 2015 and 2016, is one of the NFL's top wide receivers. He also knew Jones is one of the league's most physical players at the position.
Still, watching on the field as the former University of Alabama standout used a stiff-arm against Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson to create space, turning a short pass from Ryan into a 40-yard touchdown, was a revelation for Gurley.
"Just looked easy, bro," Gurley said Wednesday. "Just like, I don't know what to tell you, I really don't. It's a credit to him, how consistent he's been able to be in his years in the league. Not only just to see it up close in person, him and Matt looking like they're playing 'NFL Blitz.' It just was that play he stiff-armed a linebacker and just keeps running."
During his Falcons career, it has not been uncommon for Jones to miss practices because of injury but power through on game day. Having him closer to 100% is even better, obviously.
Said Gurley: "It just tells you, you get a healthy Julio playing, you get a win. I'll take that every time."
Ryan threw for four touchdowns and the offense gained 462 yards against the Vikings in Atlanta's first game under interim head coach Raheem Morris, with the Falcons avoiding the type of collapse that led to losses against the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears despite substantial leads late in those games.
"It was very important for us, as an organization and just for everything about us," Jones said. "We've got to go into this game like last week. We've got to have our swag back. We've just got to go out there and play for one another. We've got to have fun doing it."
Tight end Hayden Hurst said just having Jones on the field lifted the offense's confidence. Hurst, who began his NFL career in Baltimore, compared watching Jones in person with being on the field with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
"Being able to see it in person is just totally different," Hurst said. "Being on the field with Julio and seeing how explosive he is and what he does to guys from a speed standpoint, from a strength standpoint, is remarkable."
On the other side of the ball, Atlanta defensive end Takk McKinley may play against the Lions after missing three of the past four games with a groin injury.
The Falcons listed McKinley as questionable Friday after he practiced for the first time this week. McKinley participated in only five plays against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 11, his only appearance since Week 2 against Dallas.
It has been a disappointing first half of the season for McKinley, a first-round draft pick in 2017. The Falcons did not pick up his fifth-year contract option before the season, and he needs to demonstrate he can return to the form he showed when he posted a combined 13 sacks in 2017 and 2018.
Morris said the team never considered putting McKinley on injured reserve.
"He's going to play, he wants to play," the coach said, "and we'll see how soon that can be, based on his health.