The Atlanta Falcons are going to give Kirk Cousins a chance to save his career based on sheer desperation. Starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is lost for the season to a knee injury, and Atlanta's season has already spun out of control with seven losses, making it clear the only path to playoff relevance is winning out. This is obviously not going to happen when you're missing not only your starting quarterback but also your star receiver, Drake London, as well. All of this sets up a challenging situation for Cousins, while presenting an opportunity for one veteran receiver.
Darnell Mooney had 992 receiving yards last season and five touchdowns, showing incredible chemistry with Cousins. This version of the receiver has completely fallen out of the Atlanta offense, with only 224 yards and zero touchdowns so far this season.
Mooney has clearly not been on the same page with Penix and has struggled to find a role. Now, the receiver is going to have a chance to turn back the clock and produce at the level he did a season ago. With this in mind, there is at least one underlying bright side in an otherwise frustrating situation.
Falcons' Darnell Mooney Given Second Life After Frustrating 2025 Start
Cousins being back in the starting lineup should turn the clock back to the version of the receiver we saw a season ago. The only caveat to this is noting that Mooney dealt with an early-season injury that slowed his return to the starting lineup. It is fair to wonder if the issue could be related to that, not simply a quarterback change.
We will now find out a direct answer to this question, with Mooney having the table set to be the primary target at the position. London is dealing with a knee injury of his own that will leave the pass catcher out of the lineup this week and possibly longer, with a return not yet projected.
This makes it clear that the Falcons should receive a definitive answer as to whether Mooney can contribute moving forward. For the receiver, it is a chance to save his career after it seemed clear that Atlanta needed to move on after the early-season struggles.
Now, the pass catcher will be given a chance not only to return to last season's dominance, but to become Atlanta's primary target over the next weeks. One of the few potentially positive stories that could emerge in the final weeks of another frustrating Falcons' season.