Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Falcons reveal concerning update on key wide receiver

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 1:18 PM ET

The Atlanta Falcons could be without a top target for a portion of the regular season.

On July 25, Darnell Mooney suffered an injury that was believed to be significant enough to keep the wide receiver out of practice for a "few weeks" during training camp.

A few weeks later, Mooney has not returned to practice.

Per Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris provided an update on Mooney to the media before Tuesday's practice. Morris claimed Mooney is dealing with a "week-to-week" injury before confirming Atlanta would have him back at some point in the regular season.

"Kind of just waiting and rolling," Morris said. "Kind of a week-to-week basis. I feel good about getting him back healthy and ready to go. When? I don’t know. We’ll have him back healthy this year, though."

Here is Raheem Morris' update on WR Darnell Mooney.

"Kind of just waiting and rolling. Kind of a week-to-week basis. I feel good about getting him back healthy and ready to go. When? I don’t know. We’ll have him back healthy this year, though."

Interpret as you will.
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) August 12, 2025

It's hard to interpret Morris as believing Mooney will return before the Falcons' Week 1 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Typically, coaches and general managers try to say a player will be ready to go by Week 1 at this time of year if an issue isn't more severe.

Mooney's situation is a surprise, as the injury didn't appear to be serious based on early reports. Mooney sustained the injury when he dove to catch a deep pass. He was helped up by teammate Drake London after being down for less than a second.

Mooney was set to be a key piece of the Falcons' offense in the upcoming season. He had his second-best season during his first year in Atlanta in 2024, recording 64 receptions for 992 yards and five touchdowns.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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