FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — For the second day in a row, safety DeMarcco Hellams and offensive tackle Jack Nelson did not participate in practice as Atlanta continues Week 1 preparations for Tampa Bay. Both are working through soft tissue injuries, and their lack of time on task this week may indicate the need for Atlanta to call up support at those specific positions come Saturday's practice squad elevations.
More will be known about their game day status — along with limited participant Darnell Mooney — when Friday's game report is released. Speaking of Mooney, the receiver told reporters in the locker room Thursday that the plan is for him to be a "game-time decision" Sunday.
"He feels good, though," Terrin Waack reported on X/Twitter. "It was his right shoulder that he injured; same as last year."
As for key changes to the injury report from Wednesday to Thursday, cornerback A.J. Terrell and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud were listed as limited participants. This should not be of concern, though, because they were considered resting players, not with any specific injury to note. This is something the Falcons have done with select players under Raheem Morris since he and his staff got to Atlanta last year.
For example, last season players like David Onyemata, Grady Jarrett, Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary and others were often listed on the team's weekly injury report as resting players, with the staff managing their daily workload depending on practice reps needed throughout the week.
You can view Thursday's full report below, and the entire Falcons' and Buccaneers' injury reports for Week 1 here.
Thursday, Sept. 4
Full participation
- N/A
Limited participation
- WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder)
- CB Clark Phillips III (rib)
- CB A.J. Terrell (not injury related — resting player)
- WR Ray-Ray McCloud III (not injury related — resting player)
Did not participate
- S DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring)
- OL Jack Nelson (calf)
