Falcons WR Mooney’s status may not be known until ‘last minute’ before opener against Bucs

FLOWERY BRANCH Ga AP Wide receiver Darnell Mooney participated in practice on Wednesday However the Atlanta Falcons still do not know if the projected starter will be available for Sunday s season opener against Tampa Bay Mooney suffered a shoulder injury in the unit s first official practice of training camp and did not play in any of the three preseason games Mooney was on the field for the portion of Wednesday s practice that was open to reporters but there was no hitting in the drills Coach Raheem Morris stated Mooney s status remains day to day but added the company s leading deep threat for quarterback Michael Penix Jr is still looking good after being exposed to only limited portions of practice earlier in the week It s viable the final decision on Mooney s status will not come before pregame warmups When petitioned what he requirements to see from Mooney before knowing the receiver can play this week Morris stated Really that is a tricky question because that is one of those things where it s just a physiological deal It s like if he s ready to go he s ready to go If he s not he won t be We ve got a chance to wait until up until that last minute Added Morris Hopefully we ll get a chance to see one of our better players out there Penix revealed Wednesday that Mooney s participation in practice was a positive because he needed any opportunity I can to have throws with him Even so Penix commented he and Mooney had a good offseason with extra practice which will help make up for the abbreviated training camp I don t feel like it ll be a setback or anything Penix commented Mooney had receptions for yards and five touchdowns in his first season with Atlanta He is expected to join Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud as Atlanta s top receivers in Penix s first full season as the starter Rookie Jalon Walker the Falcons first of two edge rushers drafted in the first round this year is expected to play after being limited by hamstring and groin injuries Morris noted Walker and James Pearce Jr the other first-round pick have been out there practicing all full go no limitations ready to go We ll have those guys rolling out there a bunch Walker and Pearce are two of four rookies expected to either start or play prominent roles on defense in the opening match Nickel back Billy Bowman Jr and safety Xavier Watts are the other workable rookie starters on defense Mooney s injury was the greater part major of the Falcons preseason before right tackle Kaleb McGary suffered a season-ending left leg injury on Aug Veteran Elijah Wilkinson is expected to start at right tackle against the Buccaneers AP NFL https apnews com hub nfl Source