FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - Receiver Julio Jones was limited in his return to practice Thursday for the Atlanta Falcons.

Three defensive starters were held out - linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (right ankle), cornerback Asante Samuel (shoulder) and nose tackle Peria Jerry (quadriceps).

A sore right ankle has bothered Jones since the Falcons' loss at New Orleans two weeks ago. He missed practice last week but started in the home win over Arizona, catching three passes for 33 yards.

Weatherspoon returned in a limited role Wednesday for the first time since spraining his right ankle four weeks ago at Philadelphia. The same injury, along with an undisclosed illness, sidelined him Thursday.

Samuel left the Arizona game with a shoulder injury and hasn't practiced this week.

Atlanta (9-1) visits Tampa Bay (6-4) on Sunday.