Darnell Mooney (back) is expected to be good to go after showing up questionable on the Chicago Bears‘ injury report Friday. NFL Network first reported Mooney is expected to be available for Sunday night’s Bears-Rams matchup.
Mooney’s condition improved throughout the week, and he was a full participant in practice on Friday.
What role will Darnell Mooney have?
Expectations are that Mooney will play a significant role in Matt Nagy’s offense, not just Sunday but throughout the season. The Bears have been quite encouraged by Mooney’s development in his second season, with the former fifth-round pick earning a starting spot after an offseason spent polishing his game.
The raw ability was always there. The Bears noticed his sub-4.4-second speed in the pre-draft process — packaging three late-round picks to take him 173rd overall. As a rookie, Mooney used his speed regularly to create separation downfield.
Chicago’s quarterbacks in 2020 didn’t cash in on all of those opportunities. Yet, Mooney still ranked second on the Bears in receptions (61) and receiving yards (631) and third in touchdowns (4). He appeared in all 16 games, starting nine.
Assuming no pre-game setbacks, Mooney on Sunday will join a Bears lineup that features Allen Robinson, Marquise Goodwin, and David Montgomery. Andy Dalton will get the Week 1 start for the Bears despite an impactful preseason by rookie Justin Fields. Fields will be active, though — he’ll serve as Dalton’s backup on Sunday.
The Rams have an elite defense
The Rams should again be a challenging defense to face with Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd, and Jalen Ramsey among those returning from a 2020 defense that ranked first in yards per play (4.7) and yards per pass (5.7) and second in points (19.3 per game).
That defense should be at full strength Sunday, with defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson cleared to go after missing Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury.
Darnell Mooney’s fantasy outlook for Week 1
There is a real opportunity for Mooney to succeed in this matchup. Nonetheless, there’s also a risk for a poor outing. Assuming Ramsey trails Robinson around the field, Mooney should draw a matchup with Darious Williams. While Williams is talented, the Bears will likely funnel a majority of targets to that matchup.
The concern, however, is that Ramsey stays rooted to one side as he has done previously. If he does, the Rams may put Mooney out on that side, almost as a sacrifice. They would then have the freedom to move Robinson around and take advantage of matchups.
Given the injury and the matchup, it may be safer to look for an option other than Mooney for your fantasy football lineup in Week 1.
