Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris provided updates on the status of several key players as the team prepares for its season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday.
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who has been out with a shoulder injury since the first open practice of training camp in July, is now considered “day-to-day.” Mooney returned to practice last week and participated in Monday’s jog-through session. Morris indicated that any decision to hold Mooney back would be based more on his performance and conditioning than concerns about his shoulder. “Felt good about where he’s at,” Morris said. “But we’ll see towards the end of the week.”
First-round draft pick Jalon Walker has dealt with soft tissue injuries throughout the preseason, including a hamstring issue and a groin injury that kept him out of the final preseason game. Morris said Walker is “on track” to play in Week 1. “All four of those (rookies) will be up, running and going,” Morris stated. “I hate to tell you that on a walkthrough Monday, but they looked really good today.”
Morris also confirmed that Elijah Wilkinson will start at right tackle as the team heads into Week 1. The Falcons recently added three offensive tackles to their roster and practice squad, but Morris noted it would be challenging for new arrivals to surpass players already familiar with Atlanta’s system during preseason. This includes Wilkinson, who steps into the starting role following injuries to Kaleb McGary and Storm Norton.
“I feel really good about Wilkinson going out there and being part of what we do and how we do it,” Morris said. “… He will go out there and give us his best efforts and do whatever he can to help us win this football game.”
