The Atlanta Falcons will open the 2025 campaign with a key divisional clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and with a new era underway now that Michael Penix Jr. is under center, the team will be looking to get off on the right foot to start the season. However, that task was made a bit more difficult thanks to an injury update right before kickoff.
Throughout the week, Atlanta’s No. 2 wide receiver Darnell Mooney’s status for this game was up in the air thanks to a shoulder injury he has been battling as of late. With the Falcons’ inactives for the game being released, the team announced a tough injury update regarding Mooney that won’t help their chances of winning on Sunday.
Falcons Rule Out Darnell Mooney for Buccaneers Matchup
Mooney broke into the league after getting selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Despite not getting selected until late in the draft, Mooney made an immediate impact for the Bears, and he quickly became their top wide receiver. In 2021, Mooney enjoyed the best season of his career, catching 81 passes for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns.
With Chicago struggling to find consistent quarterback play, though, Mooney’s production wavered, and he ended up signing a three-year, $39 million contract with the Falcons in free agency last offseason. Mooney promptly turned in a strong season working alongside Drake London at wide receiver, as he hauled in 64 receptions for 992 yards and a career-high five touchdowns.
Heading into the new season, Mooney was set to reprise his role alongside London in the passing game. A shoulder injury he picked up in August, though, threw his status for Week 1 up in the air. With inactives being released, it was revealed that Atlanta ruled Mooney out for this game, which is a big blow that the offense will have to find a way to overcome.
“Falcons WR Darnell Mooney is inactive today,” Adam Schefter of ESPN shared in a post on X.
Who Will Step Up for Falcons in Darnell Mooney’s Absence?
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Darnell Mooney #1 of the Atlanta Falcons carries the ball after his reception and is tackled by Jason Pinnock #27 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Losing Mooney hurts, as the Falcons will likely be spending the day trying to keep pace with the Buccaneers’ high-powered offense. London will obviously be relied on heavily, with Ray-Ray McCloud III and KhaDarel Hodge likely taking on bigger roles at wide receiver. Elsewhere, Kyle Pitts could be set for more targets at tight end, with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier also getting work out of the backfield.
Picking up a win against the Buccaneers was always going to be tough for Penix, but without one of his top targets in Mooney, that task has become even more challenging. Kickoff for this NFC South division matchup is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on Atlanta to see if they can solidify themselves as a true threat in their division alongside Tampa Bay.
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