DARNELL MOONEY NEWS

Bears waiting until game time to announce QB against Lions

The Chicago Bears will wait until game time to announce their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against Detroit, choosing between Andy Dalton and rookie Justin Fields

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Groin injury not going away Mooney (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Impact Mooney has logged a trio of limited practices this week. He played through this injury against the Browns in Week 3 but was held to one catch in Justin Fields' first start under center. Getting quarterback Andy Dalton (knee) back would be a boon to Mooney's outlook, but Dalton's also listed as questionable after three limited practices of his own.

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still limited Thursday Mooney (groin) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Impact Mooney has gutted through back and groin injuries so far this season, and even though his practice reps have been capped by the Bears, he's logged at least 89 percent of the offensive snaps in all three games. It's possible the combination of being less than 100 percent and poor quarterback play have contributed to a pedestrian 12-101-0 line on 19 targets, but he'll look to get on the right track Week 4 against the Lions, assuming he's active.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 4

Kirk Cousins plays a Cleveland Browns team that is just 16th in adjusted fantasy points per drop-back against quarterbacks and is playing in a dome, which is more conducive to big...

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remains limited at practice Mooney (groin) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Impact Mooney's availability has been in question for all three games this season, first by a back injury Weeks 1 and 2 and then by a groin issue last week, but he still was able to play on game days. The latter has followed him into Week 4 prep, but perhaps the bigger question mark in Chicago is who will be throwing him passes. Andy Dalton (knee), who sat out this past Sunday in Cleveland, also was limited Wednesday, while rookie Justin Fields brushed off a right thumb injury and practiced in full. If Dalton doesn't make the requisite progress this week, Mooney likely will be on the receiving end of throws from Fields on Sunday against the Lions, assuming the wide receiver suits up again himself.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still limited Thursday Mooney (groin) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Impact Prior to having his practice reps capped this week due to a groin injury, Mooney had them managed during prep for the first two games of the season with a back issue. The second-year wide receiver still was able to suit up Weeks 1 and 2, combining for 11 catches (on 15 targets) for 92 yards and no touchdowns. Friday's injury report may clear up Mooney's standing heading into the weekend.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 3

Justin Herbert has yet to put up a big fantasy outing, but it could be on the way

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Limited by new injury Mooney (groin) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

Impact Mooney was bothered by a back injury in both of the first two weeks of the campaign, but now a groin injury is impacting his practice reps. The results have been modest through two games, with the second-year receiver gathering in 11 of 15 targets for 92 yards and no touchdowns. Assuming he follows the same path this week. Mooney could produce Sunday against a Browns defense that has given up 9.5 YPT to wideouts this season (11th worst in the NFL).

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Market share report: Dumping Darnell Mooney, trading Rob Gronkowski among this week's top considerations Michael Salfino highlights the market share standouts of Week 2, and advises to consider dropping Darnell Mooney and trading Rob Gronkowski.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Leads team in receiving Mooney caught six passes for 66 yards in the Bears' 20-17 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

Impact Not only did Mooney lead the team in receiving yardage, but his eight targets made him the only Chicago receiver with more than four. With the Bears leading throughout, they only threw 24 passes, so he could be in line for even better production in future games when the team needs to keep up on the scoreboard, especially as the second option in what seems to be a fairly narrow team target tree.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up Week 2 Mooney (back) is listed as active Sunday against the Bengals.

Impact Going back to Week 1 prep, Mooney has logged four consecutive full practices, but the Bears have listed him as questionable for both of their first two games of the campaign. Still, he's ready to go Week 2 versus a Cincinnati defense that allowed 22 catches (fourth most in the NFL) to Minnesota wide receivers in the season opener.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy Injury Updates: Latest news on Michael Pittman Jr., Jonnu Smith, Darnell Mooney, more affecting Week 2 start 'em, sit 'em calls There aren't many big names on the final Week 2 injury reports, but several pass-catchers on the start 'em, sit 'em bubble, including Michae...

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Questionable despite full practices Mooney (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Mooney logged a trio of full practices throughout the week, so it would be surprising if the Bears' No. 2 receiver ultimately doesn't suit up Sunday. Still, those relying on him in the fantasy realm should check back prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff to confirm that Mooney indeed is playing. He caught five passes for just 26 yards in the season opener.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Posts five receptions Mooney caught five passes for 26 yards in the Bears' 34-14 loss to the Rams on Sunday.

Impact Mooney had been on the injury report with a back issue coming into this game, but he ended up playing every snap while finishing second on the team with seven targets. With the Rams applying consistent pressure to Andy Dalton, there was little chance of getting the downfield game going, and as a result, Mooney's longest reception went for nine yards. After getting this tough matchup out of the way, he could be in line for a run of solid production based on his talent and opportunity as the clear second option in the passing game after Allen Robinson.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up in season opener Mooney (back) is listed as active Sunday against the Rams in L.A.

Impact The Bears managed Mooney's practice reps this week, limiting him Wednesday and Thursday. He logged a full session Friday but still entered the weekend as a question mark. With his status for the season opener now known, Mooney will be the team's No. 2 wide receiver behind Allen Robinson, which amounted to 6.1 targets per game as a rookie in 2020.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Sunday night Mooney (back) is expected to play in Sunday's night's season opener against the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Official confirmation of Mooney's Week 1 status will arrive when inactives are submitted in advance of Sunday's 8:20 ET kickoff, but supporting the notion that the wideout will be able to give it a go is that he practiced fully Friday after logging limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Is Darnell Mooney playing on Sunday night? Fantasy injury update for Bears-Rams Is Darnell Mooney playing on Sunday night for the Bears against the Rams? We have the latest injury updates ahead of the Sunday Night Footba...

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Finishes week with full practce Mooney (back) upgraded to full practice participation Friday but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Mark Grote of 670 The Score reports.

Impact The Bears have eight players listed as questionable, including two who were full practice participants throughout the week and another five who logged FP on Friday. Perhaps they're trying to obscure an actual injury concern, but it's more likely they're just being overly cautious with the NFL's injury-reporting system. Mooney should be fine for the season opener Sunday night in Los Angeles, operating as the No. 2 receiver in a Chicago offense that lacks a clear No. 3. He does get a tough matchup to start the season, though the Rams secondary may not be quite as dominant after losing two starting defensive backs (CB Troy Hill and S John Johnson) in the offseason.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Another limited session Mooney (back) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Impact The Bears have capped Mooney's reps so far during Week 1 preparations, but the second-year wide receiver has one more chance to get all the way back to full health for Sunday's visit to the Rams. While he isn't a major challenge to Allen Robinson's standing as the clear No. 1 option in the team's passing attack, Mooney should be good for at least his typical amount of work from 2020 (6.1 targets per game).

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 1

The start-or-sit dilemma is part of managing a fantasy football team

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bears' Dalton focused on Rams defense, not Justin Fields

Chicago Bears veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has plenty to worry about from the Los Angeles Rams defense and Aaron Donald on Sunday night in the season opener, but there could als...

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bothered by back Mooney (back) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Impact It's the first report of a back injury this summer, with limited practice participation suggesting it isn't serious. Assuming he checks out later this week, Mooney is locked in as Chicago's No. 2 receiver, though it may be a distant second to Allen Robinson. The 2020 fifth-round pick showed impressive speed and route-running as a rookie, but he and Mitchell Trubisky struggled to complete plays. The Bears hope it'll be different this year with Andy Dalton, who starts things off with a road game against the Rams. It's a tough matchup for the Chicago passing game overall, but it might work in favor of Mooney's target volume if the Rams put star cover man Jalen Ramsey on Robinson.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

My Guys: Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney and 30 more of Jake Ciely's favorite fantasy football players Jake Ciely tells you why he loves these 32 fantasy football players for the 2021 season, including Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney and more

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

My Guys: Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney and 30 more of Jake Ciely's favorite fantasy football players Jake Ciely tells you why he loves these 32 fantasy football players for the 2021 season, including Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney and more

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Resting up for Week 1 Mooney isn't expected to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Titans, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Other skill-position players in line to be held out include QB Andy Dalton, RB David Montgomery, WRs Allen Robinson and Marquise Goodwin and TEs Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet. The Bears figure to center their offense around Robinson and Montgomery again, but Mooney nonetheless has second-year breakout appeal after a solid rookie season where he improved throughout the year. The Bears' poor depth at wide receiver could work in his favor, perhaps leading to an every-down role and steady targets. However, Mooney gets a major challenge to start the season -- a road trip to Los Angeles to face a Rams defense led by DT Aaron Donald and CB Jalen Ramsey. The matchup might at least work in Mooney's favor when it comes to volume if the Rams use Ramsey to shadow Robinson for portions of the game.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE