Will Darnell Mooney Play in Week 1? Fantasy Football Injury Update (2025)

Will Darnell Mooney play in Week 1, or at all in 2025, or is he out? Kacey looks at the latest Darnell Mooney injury news and updates for fantasy football.

The Atlanta Falcons might be without their wide receiver Darnell Mooney as they take on the Buccaneers in Week 1. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest, as the wideout has been dealing with a shoulder injury.

The sixth-year WR has been missing from action since the first practice of training camp. Look for Mooney to be a game-time decision, as he stated to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. Head coach Raheem Morris noted that the team will wait until 90 minutes before Sunday’s contest to decide on Mooney.

The game has a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, which bodes well for managers awaiting his status. If he cannot go, be prepared to fire up a replacement. An early game means you should have plenty of options available on your roster.

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WR Darnell Mooney came off the field with a trainer during practice after missing a diving catch. He didn’t return. Waiting for an update. #Falcons

— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) July 24, 2025

Will Darnell Mooney Play This Season?

Mooney did participate in practice in a limited capacity throughout the week. The wideout told reporters on Thursday that he feels good, both mentally and physically.

His injury has kept him away from vital conditioning, a contributor to the game-time decision. The team is being cautious since they don’t want him to re-injure his shoulder.

The veteran was never placed on injured reserve with this injury. If he were, he would have had to sit out the first four games of the season. Entering the season without an IR designation is a positive sign for Mooney managers. That points to the team expecting him to be healthy this year.

Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney said whether he’ll play Sunday against the Buccaneers is a “game-time decision.” He feels good, though. It was his right shoulder that he injured; same as last year.

— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) September 4, 2025

Will Darnell Mooney Play In Week 1?

Sunday Morning Update: Mooney has been ruled OUT for Week 1

As stated, Mooney will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s match. Mooney seems to have confidence that he is good to go, but it’s ultimately a decision Morris will make.

Limited details were given about Mooney’s injury, so we don’t know the full story of what he's been dealing with. Despite that lack of knowledge, it looks like Mooney is heading in the right direction to play Week 1.

#Falcons coach Raheem Morris said WR Darnell Mooney participated in the walk-through. "We feel good about where he's at," Morris said.

— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) September 1, 2025

Darnell Mooney 2025 Fantasy Outlook

In Mooney’s first season with the Falcons, he became an important part of fantasy rosters. He took a step forward as Atlanta’s No. 2 receiving option, tallying 64 receptions on 106 targets for 992 yards. Additionally, Mooney snagged five receiving touchdowns. Overall, he was the WR31 in PPR leagues to end the year, with eight double-digit outings.

The 27-year-old was second on the team in targets last season, only trailing Drake London (158). Ray-Ray McCloud III, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson also see a good share of targets, but Mooney is the clear second option in the passing game.

Said a lot of what the Falcons are looking for to decide on Mooney's status is whether he is game-ready. Not really working through anything physically with the shoulder, more about having been off the grass for a month. https://t.co/J2A9tr7J8M

— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) September 1, 2025

For fantasy purposes, Mooney should be viewed as a WR3 with upside this season. Michael Penix Jr. is now the starter at QB, and he has the long ball and arm strength to build instant chemistry with the wideout.

Mooney is the ideal depth piece for your fantasy roster. If, for some reason, the Tulane alum is still available on waivers (61% rostered in Sleeper leagues), get him before your league mates catch on. There is an injury concern there, but it’s nothing that will knock him out for long.

Darnell Mooney out at practice today. Still “day to day” with shoulder per Raheem Morris. #Falcons pic.twitter.com/5Qs22gI00N

— Lexi Bowden (@lexibowden_) September 3, 2025

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