Who Should I Start? Darnell Mooney or Khalil Shakir

Wednesday, September 3, 5:23 PM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in the team's first official practice of the 2025 season on Wednesday. Mooney suffered a shoulder injury early in training camp and figures to be up in the air for the Week 1 contest this Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's good news that the 27-year-old is on the practice field early in the week, but he's expected to receive a questionable designation on Friday, which makes him a dicey fantasy option to kick things off this weekend. We should have a better idea of Mooney's status for Week 1 later this week. As things currently stand, we would recommend having him on your bench right now. If Mooney is active on Sunday, he could be facing limitations in how much he can play.

Wednesday, September 3, 5:09 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle), who suffered a high-ankle sprain in practice a month ago, was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday on the team's initial injury report, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Head coach Sean McDermott initially said that Shakir would be limited in the first practice of the week, so this is a pleasant surprise for those getting ready to start the 25-year-old in the Week 1 showdown on Sunday night versus the Baltimore Ravens. As long as he does not suffer a setback later this week, Shakir should be pretty close to 100 percent for the season opener as the starting slot receiver. Shakir had his best season in his third year in the NFL in 2024 with 76 catches, 821 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games (nine starts), but that might be his ceiling in a Bills offense that likes to spread the ball around.