FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons aren't deciding on wide receiver Darnell Mooney's game status for Week 1 until they absolutely must.
Head coach Raheem Morris has said since Monday that Mooney is day-to-day. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson echoed those exact words Wednesday. And Mooney, himself, declared Thursday that it'll be a game-time decision.
The Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET to kick off their 2025 season inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"If he's ready to go, he's ready to go," Morris said. "If he's not, he won't be."
Both teams need to submit their third and final injury report Friday to the NFL with game designations. Even then, the Falcons could list Mooney as questionable or doubtful rather than straight-up out. Mooney's actual status very well may be determined Sunday.
The sixth-year player has been practicing since last Thursday — albeit in a limited capacity, according to the latest injury. He hasn't even done that since injuring his right shoulder on July 24, the Falcons' first open practice of training camp.
"I've been like a ghost for the last month," Mooney said. "So glad to be back."
Mooney didn't get into the details of his injury, just that he experienced soreness and stiffness.
"I feel good," Mooney said. "I mean, I don't know about any percentage wise. Mentally, I feel good. Physically, I feel good."
It was the same shoulder he injured last season, which led him to missing the Falcons' Week 18 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Mooney signed with the Falcons last offseason and went on to total 64 receptions for 992 yards and five touchdowns. Of his 16 starts, the first 14 were with Kirk Cousins and the final two were with Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons switched their starting quarterback in Week 16, and Penix has been their QB1 ever since.
A big goal for Penix in the lead-up to his second season overall and first as the starter was to build a stronger connection with his wide receivers. Even though Mooney missed all but one day of training camp, neither is worried about their chemistry. They spent a lot of the offseason together, and they've built in extra time even this week.
"Any opportunity I can, I get some throws with him," Penix said. "That's the biggest thing. We've got special teams period. If I'm not doing anything, I call him over, get some throws with him. Just so that we can continue to stay on point with that. And obviously, I feel like we had a really good offseason. So, I don't feel like it'll be a setback or anything like that."
Robinson has contingency plans in place if so, such as wide receiver Casey Washington, who stepped up while Mooney was absent in the preseason. But even Robinson thought Mooney has looked good in practice this week, running well and catching the ball.
No one seems all that concerned. More so, the Falcons are being precautious in the lead-up to Sunday's game.
"We've got a chance to wait up until that last minute," Morris said. "Hopefully, we'll get a chance to see one of our better players out there."
