Atlanta Falcons face early adversity as WR Darnell Mooney is sidelined with an injury in July 2025. See how the signing of DJ Chark shakes up the offense.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The electric atmosphere of a sold-out training camp crowd was quickly tempered by a dose of reality for the Atlanta Falcons. Just as the high hopes for a new season began to build, the team was dealt its first major setback with receiver Darnell Mooney suffering a shoulder injury that will sideline him for several weeks. But in a decisive move, the front office immediately responded by signing veteran speedster DJ Chark, shaking up the depth chart before the first pads have even come on.
'When we get to the playoffs, good things happen for everybody in this building.' - Jessie Bates III
The worst fears from Thursday's practice were confirmed Saturday when the team announced Darnell Mooney would miss several weeks. The injury occurred on a diving catch attempt on a deep ball from Michael Penix Jr., a painful reminder of how quickly fortunes can change. Losing Mooney, who hauled in 106 passes for 992 yards last season, is a significant blow to an offense counting on his veteran presence and reliability opposite Drake London. His absence creates a major void and puts immediate pressure on the rest of the receiving corps.
The Falcons didn't wait to address the hole left by Mooney, quickly signing free agent DJ Chark. The former Chargers wideout brings a different element to the offense with his size and deep-threat speed. A 2018 second-round pick with 51 career starts, Chark is expected to immediately compete for a starting role alongside Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud III. His integration into the offense will be a critical storyline to watch over the next few weeks as the team scrambles to rebuild chemistry.
Despite the receiver drama, there was plenty of positive buzz on the field. Michael Penix Jr. looked sharp and decisive running the first-team offense, showing an early command that has expectations soaring. On the other side of the ball, the Falcons may have offered a glimpse into the future of their pass rush. Rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. were surprisingly taking first-team reps at edge rusher, while established veterans Leonard Floyd and Arnold Ebiketie worked with the second unit. Meanwhile, tight end Kyle Pitts, entering a contract year amidst trade rumors, looked strong and focused during drills.
For the first time in two years, fans packed the IBM Performance Field, their energy underscoring the massive expectations for the 2025 season. After seven long years without playoff football, the mandate from the top down is clear. All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III put it bluntly, stating the importance of breaking the drought for everyone in the organization. The high-stakes atmosphere was palpable, with every drill and every rep feeling more significant as the team begins its quest to return to the postseason.
The first days of camp have already thrown a curveball at the Falcons. The loss of Darnell Mooney is a significant blow, but the front office's swift signing of DJ Chark shows a commitment to winning now. The key questions moving forward are how quickly Chark can build chemistry with Penix and how the rest of the receiving corps steps up. All eyes will also be on the rookie edge rushers to see if their early prominence is a sign of a defensive sea change. The path to ending the playoff drought won't be easy, but the team's resilience is already being tested.
