The News, Now
Key developments on the field and roster move analysis
The main bulk of news coming out of Flowery Branch this week had to do with starting lineup news and injury developments.
For starters (no pun intended), the Falcons named Elijah Wilkinson their starting right tackle to begin the 2025 season. As a reminder, Kaleb McGary is out for the year, while Storm Norton has a chance to return after the team's Week 5 bye. Asked about stepping into a starting role, Wilkinson said he's prepared.
"I've been in this role before," Wilkinson said. "It's go time for me. You never want to see anybody go down, but that's an opportunity for me to step up."
Meanwhile, wide receiver Darnell Mooney is working back from a shoulder injury that kept him off the field for the preseason's entirety. The Falcons are being careful with his return, with Raheem Morris saying earlier in the week that he was day-to-day. Speaking with local media for the first time since the injury occurred, Mooney confirmed he injured the same shoulder that kept him out of 2024's season finale in January. He also said that he will be a "game-time decision" this Sunday against the Bucs.
This tracks with how the Falcons have handled his reps throughout the week with their injury reports, which you can click through below.
Wednesday, Sept. 3: WR Darnell Mooney 'day-to-day' to start Week 1
Thursday, Sept. 4: Team rests key starters A.J. Terrell, Ray-Ray McCloud
Friday, Sept. 5: Game report; Darnell Mooney questionable, DeMarcco Hellams ruled out
This week's Nerdy Birds stat spotlight zeroed in on Drake London's performances throughout his career against Tampa Bay, which is pretty darn good to say the least.
"Through six meetings over the course of his first three seasons, London has tallied 569 yards on 42 receptions with one touchdown. Since 2022, the California native has had the most yards and receptions of any player against the Buccaneers. Additionally, three of London's six career 100-yard games have come against Tampa Bay."
In this week's mailbag submissions, Tori McElhaney and Will McFadden answered fan questions about the state of the Falcons heading into Week 1 of the season.
Falcons Mailbag, No. 1, via Tori McElhaney: What could Tyler Allgeier's workload look like? What will the Falcons do if/when Storm Norton returns? And how will Jalon Walker's role really manifest?
Falcons Mailbag, No. 2, via Will McFadden: Who could be the biggest x-factor this Sunday? What does the growth of young players do for the defense? How tough is the early part of the Falcons' 2025 schedule?