Just last summer, Darnell Mooney was riding high, feeling unstoppable. With an impressive 2024 season under his belt, boasting 992 receiving yards, Mooney believed he was ready to dominate.
However, things took a dramatic turn at the Falcons training camp. On the very first play, Mooney experienced a setback by breaking his collarbone. His misfortune didn’t end there. After an arduous recovery, just as he returned to the field in Week 2, a hamstring injury struck in Week 4, sidelining him for two more games. This mishap was compounded by the Falcons’ own quarterback instability, and Mooney concluded the season with only 443 receiving yards and a single touchdown.
Now with the New York Giants, a rejuvenated and healthy Mooney, still in his prime at 28, is eyeing a fresh start. As part of an experienced group of wide receivers, he shows promising synergy with quarterback Jaxson Dart. Additionally, Mooney’s history with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, familiar from their time together at the Bears, adds an advantage to his integration.
“I mean, I can just be here,” Mooney reflected when discussing the impact of last year’s health issues. “I can just be here in this moment and continue just to be in this situation.”
On a one-year contract, Mooney is vying for a spot against seasoned players like Calvin Austin III, Isaiah Hodgins, Braxton Berrios, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jalin Hyatt. With his promise, highlighted by ranking eighth in the NFL for average depth of target last season at 14.4 yards according to Pro Football Focus, Mooney is poised to make a compelling case for himself.
“There’s some of the things that I’ve played with, the plays, he’s done my first two years in the league,” Mooney said of playing in Nagy’s system. “He’s got some new plays, but everything’s kind of picking up speed from familiarity.”
The Giants facility renovations — set to include a locker room stretching more than 6,000 square feet and a weight room spanning more than 11,000 square feet — have forced them to use a temporary locker room in a tent-like structure in a parking lot. Renovations aren’t expected to be completed until 2028. And, as John Harbaugh said, “It’s not Taj Mahal over there.”
“I can’t sit here and lie to you and say it doesn’t [impact operations],” Harbaugh said. “It does. … We have to make it better. It’s as good as we could do right now, but you kind of learn real quick what you need. … So, we’re going to be in here for probably two seasons so they can build this over here. It’s going to be incredible.”
Center John Michael Schmitz Jr. missed practice again due to a concussion, and Harbaugh said that Bryan Hudson has “risen to the occasion so far” as Schmitz’s replacement. … Dart’s foot got stepped on during practice, but he was OK. … The Giants signed defensive back JT Woods and released defensive lineman Sam Roberts.
OLB Abdul Carter missed practice with a hand/finger injury, but he’s expected to “probably” return Tuesday, according to Harbaugh. … Smith-Schuster (knee) and OL Lucas Patrick (knee) didn’t practice. … DL Chauncey Golston was being evaluated after his head hit the turf and he left early. … CB Greg Newsome II, who left practice Saturday after a non-contact knee scare, is “gonna be fine,” Harbaugh said. … Hyatt appeared to get injured on the final play of practice and the team gathered around him, but Harbaugh expected him to be fine.