Michael Penix Jr. hints at Darnell Mooney’s potential return from injury

Yesterday, Raheem Morris was ominous — to say the least — regarding the status of wide receiver Darnell Mooney to begin the season. 

“Kind of just waiting and rolling,” Morris said, via Josh Kendall of The Athletic. “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.”

Morris might just be playing mind games this far away from Week 1, not revealing his hand until he absolutely has to. Darnell Mooney was a huge part of the Falcons offense last year and had some monster numbers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, totaling 191 yards receiving and three touchdowns in two games. Atlanta, particularly Michael Penix, could use Mooney in a pivotal Week 1 matchup against the defending NFC South champions.

And they just might have him, according to the Falcons quarterback.

“”Obviously Mooney, we’ll have him back coming up in the season. I feel like he should be back Week 1. But I’m not sure, I’m not gonna talk too much about that… He’s been doing good with his recovery,” Penix said, via Joe Patrick of 92.9 The Game. 

That’s a much positive statement compared to Morris’ from yesterday. It still feels like Mooney’s status for Week 1 is up in the air, but it doesn’t feel likely that he’ll miss a significant chunk of the season.