Michael Penix Jr. shares excitement for return of Falcons WR, ‘he takes it serious’

Darnell Mooney returns after month-long absence from Atlanta Falcons

Darnell Mooney is one of those players, and served as their most prolific contributor behind the trio that was previously mentioned in 2024 –finishing with 64 receptions for 992 yards and five touchdowns.

It’s anything but guaranteed that he’ll return to form in 2025, however.

Mooney missed five weeks of practice before returning on Thursday, as he suffered a shoulder injury during the team’s first training camp practice. The Falcons have been impressed with his resolve to get back, however.

“It’s good, just to see his progression and see how he’s recovering,” Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said on Thursday. “He takes it serious. I see him in our training room all day, every day, making sure he can get back healthy for this team. We can’t wait to have him back come gameday.”

Mooney’s eventual return, which is expected to come in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would go a long way in helping his club get off to a fast start.

Michael Penix Jr. expected to take major leap in 2025

Penix taking the leap we all expect would go even further.

The Falcons have officially handed the reins to their first-round quarterback, who enters the season with some experience working alongside offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Penix immediately provided a boost when earning the starting job last season, and now has the ability to really cut it loose.

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson — who will be as important as anyone in helping the sophomore break out — shared his confidence in the signal-caller during an appearance on ESPN’s NFL Live on Tuesday.

“I think he’s a very athletic quarterback — he can move out of the pocket, he can run, and that helps me a lot because he can take a linebacker away when we’re trying to get everything going in the running game,” Robinson said, “… Our confidence is super high. Not just in (Penix), but in everybody in the offense.”

It’ll remain to be seen how things shake out, but expectations are high with the Falcons.