When Darnell Mooney hurt his shoulder in late July, the Atlanta Falcons announced that he'd miss several weeks.
So the fact that Mooney isn't back yet by mid-August isn't a total surprise.
What's a bit weird is the messaging coming from the Falcons now.
Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris was asked about Mooney's status on Tuesday. This is what he shared with reporters:
"Kind of just waiting and rolling. Kind of a week-to-week basis. I feel good about getting him back healthy and ready to go. When? I don’t know. We’ll have him back healthy this year, though."
Confused? Yeah, us too.
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Mooney is a player that the Falcons certainly want on the field, a speedy and reliable target for second-year QB Michael Penix Jr.
Last season was Mooney's second-best in the NFL, with 64 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns in his first year with the Falcons after starting his career with four seasons in Chicago.
Mooney is Atlanta's WR2 behind just Drake London, two guys who would be on the field all the time for the Falcons if healthy.
Beyond them, the whole wideout depth chart is a bit odd.
Ray-Ray McCloud, who was a return man for much of his return, should get looks. They've still got Khadarel Hodge. They signed veteran DJ Chark.
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Undrafted rookie Nick Nash was a monster at San Jose State but doesn't appear to have made many inroads this preseason.
Really, without Mooney, it'll mean a heavier diet of receptions for tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson.
But the Falcons definitely wouldn't mind getting Mooney back sooner rather than later. It's too bad this latest update gives pretty much no confidence in that happening.
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