FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons had wide receiver Julio Jones back with full clearance for Thursday’s practice, confirming the team’s biggest star will be ready for Sunday’s opening game against Tampa Bay.

Jones’ status for the opener was never really in doubt, even when he was held out of last week’s final exhibition game with an ankle injury and was limited in Wednesday’s practice.

Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones, right, hampered by an ankle injury in preseason, was a full participant in practice Thursday as the Falcons prepare for Sunday's season-opening game against Tampa Bay. Associated Press/John Bazemore

Even so, having the All-Pro practice without restrictions was comforting for Coach Dan Quinn and the Falcons.

“He looked like Julio, which is a good thing for the Falcons,” Quinn said.

Added offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan after practice: “Julio always looks good.”

Jones is coming off one of the most prolific seasons in NFL history. Jones led the league with 1,871 yards receiving, the second-highest total in NFL history. Jones and Antonio Brown of Pittsburgh shared the NFL lead with 136 catches.

Asked if he’s ready for the opener, Jones said, “Of course. Everything is great.”

Jones’ role as a leader on the offense grew following the team’s release of Roddy White, who holds most of Atlanta’s career receiving records.

The Falcons signed Mohamed Sanu from Cincinnati to be the No. 2 receiver. Jones said he expects extra attention from defenses while Sanu, Justin Hardy, Eric Weems and Aldrick Robinson adjust to their roles in the offense.

“I feel like they’re going to try to double me and take me away from the game and make other guys prove themselves,” Jones said. “But I have all the faith in the world that those guys will prove themselves. They’ve been great in practice.”

CARDINALS: Nearly nine months after he tore an ACL and underwent knee surgery for the second time in three seasons, defensive back Tyrann Mathieu is back and ready to go Sunday night in the opener against New England.

Coach Bruce Arians said Mathieu will play every down. Defensive coordinator James Boettcher said his do-everything All-Pro defensive back is “where he left off last year.”

49ERS: The owner, Jed York, pledged $1 million to improving racial and economic inequality, and building a stronger relationship between law enforcement authorities and the communities they serve.

York announced the donation following quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s pledge to give $1 million to help underserved communities. Kaepernick announced his pledge last week after he refused to stand for the national anthem in protest of what he called racial oppression and police brutality in the United States.

STEELERS: Pittsburgh locked up All-Pro guard David DeCastro for the rest of the decade, and then some, signing him to a six-year contract that will keep him with the team through the 2021 season.

DeCastro, 26, was entering the final year of the rookie deal he signed after the Steelers took him with the 24th overall pick in the 2012 draft following an All-American career at Stanford.

JETS: Wide receiver Brandon Marshall fully participated in practice, a day after being limited because of a sore hip.

Marshall missed the Jets’ third exhibition game and sat out the finale, along with most other starters, because of the injury. He should be ready to play in the opener Sunday against Cincinnati.

SEAHAWKS: Wide receiver Doug Baldwin tweeted that the team “will honor the country and flag” in a “demonstration of unity” prior to Sunday’s opener against Miami.

When approached in the locker room by reporters, Baldwin declined to elaborate further, saying “you’ll see on Sunday.”

CHARGERS: Coach Mike McCoy isn’t clear when defensive end Joey Bosa will practice again.

Bosa, the draft’s third pick, has practiced once since ending his 31-day holdout. It appears he injured his left hamstring during a light non-padded session Monday.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville placed defensive end Jared Odrick in the NFL’s concussion protocol after he was hit in the jaw in practice.

The team said Odrick was removed from practice Wednesday following the hit. And after subsequent evaluation by the team’s medical staff, Odrick was deemed to have sustained a concussion.

VIKINGS: Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater underwent surgery on his severely injured left knee, the first step toward what undoubtedly will be a long, arduous recovery.

The operation took place nine days after Bridgewater went down in practice while dropping back to pass during a routine non-contact drill.

SAN FRANCISCO prosecutors charged former 49ers tight end Bruce Miller with multiple counts of assault and battery after police said he attacked a 70-year-old man and his son while intoxicated.

Police said Miller tried to enter a hotel room occupied by an elderly couple Monday. The couple’s son was staying in the next room, and police said Miller attacked him and his father after the son told Miller he was at the wrong room. Miller allegedly punched the father. Prosecutors said the deadly weapon was a cane.

COWBOYS: The team restructured tight end Jason Witten’s contract to create an additional $2.75 million in salary cap space that will give the club a little more wiggle room if needed.

The Cowboys converted $5.5 million of Witten’s $6.5 million base salary into a signing bonus to create the cap space.

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