It sounds like the Atlanta Falcons may be without wide receiver Darnell Mooney in their season finale against the Carolina Panthers. According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Mooney is considered a “long shot” to play in Sunday’s game.
The Falcons listed the 27-year-old wide receiver as questionable for Week 18 due to a shoulder injury. While Mooney hasn’t been officially ruled out against Carolina, it’s not looking good roughly 12 hours before kickoff.
#Falcons WR Darnell Mooney, listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, is considered a long-shot to play, sources say. Not ruled out. But an uphill battle.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2025
Mooney has been a stellar addition to the offense this season and was closing in on the second 1,000-yard campaign of his career. If he can’t play on Sunday, he will finish the year with 64 catches for 992 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Atlanta signed Mooney to a three-year, $39 million contract in the offseason, which looks like a bargain after the first 16 games. If Mooney is inactive, the team will be forced to lean on Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge in Week 18.
The Falcons and Panthers face off on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. If Atlanta defeats Carolina and the New Orleans Saints upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Falcons would clinch their first NFC South title since 2016.
Make sure to check out our latest Falcons mock draft entering the final week of the season.