Falcons’ injuries are forcing this struggling veteran right back into the spotlight
There has been no player on the Atlanta Falcons more disappointing than Darnell Mooney this season. With Drake London sidelined in Week 8, the 28-year-old caught just one pass for 11 yards in the 34-10 loss against the Dolphins—and even his rapport with Kirk Cousins couldn't save him.
After coming up just short of 1,000 receiving yards in his first season in Atlanta, Mooney has seen both injury woes and a lack of chemistry with Michael Penix Jr. play a factor into his severe regression in 2025. And his short time operating as the WR1 for the Dirty Birds has ended in complete disaster.
But with both London and Casey Washington currently on the shelf due to injury, it's Mooney who's going to have to continue stepping up. The offense has disappointed as of late, but the Tulane product remains the X-Factor if Zac Robinson's unit hopes to return to form in Week 9.
Luckily, Robinson's belief in the veteran wideout hasn't wavered amid his struggles.
Falcons' injured receiver room is leaving Zac Robinson no choice but to rely on Darnell Mooney
In five starts this season, Mooney has caught 11 passes for 158 yards on 25 targets. Additionally, his 12.0% drop rate is the highest rate of his career, and his hamstring issue isn't helping his case. His rough campaign is part of why Atlanta's been looking to add receivers before the trade deadline.
With Tuesday's deadline looming, the 2020 fifth-round pick is unlikely to be dealt, but that doesn't mean his future in Atlanta is secure. Mooney is quietly emerging as a cut candidate for the Falcons this offseason, as the three-year contract he signed last year comes with an out after this season.
The Falcons are almost guaranteed to address the position in some capacity during the 2026 NFL Draft, and Terry Fontenot can take advantage of that depth. The biggest problem the offense has faced this season is the lack of receiving options beyond London, which has seen Penix fail to maintain consistency.
With Ray-Ray McCloud gone and guys like David Sills V and KhaDarrel Hodge not viable starters, Robinson and Morris have no choice but to roll with the ex-Bears draft pick. We know what he's capable of becoming in this system, but it hasn't yielded the results many expected in 2025.
With that said, Penix and London are nearing a return, and have a chance to play against the Patriots in Week 9. But in the meantime, more of the offensive load will fall on Mooney's shoulders, and dud performances like in Week 8 cannot become the norm for the speedster.
Yankees' high-upside starter could be floated as trade bait
Just a year ago, Luis Gil looked like the New York Yankees’ next great homegrown arm. The right-hander electrified the Bronx in 2024, winning 15 games with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts across his first full season as a starter. That breakout earned him the American League Rookie of the Year award and sky-high expectations entering 2025. For a moment, it looked like the Yankees had found their rotation anchor of the future—a flamethrower with swagger, stamina, and the poise to match.
But baseball rarely follows the script.
A severe lat strain crushed any chance Gil had of building on his breakout year. The injury sidelined him for months, robbing him not only of innings but of rhythm and confidence. By the time he returned in early August, the season was already slipping away for the young righty. On paper, his 3.32 ERA in limited action looked encouraging. In reality, Gil didn’t look like himself and posted a 4.63 FIP and a 5.65 xFIP.
His strikeout rate plummeted from 26.8% in 2024 to just 16.8%, while his walk rate ballooned to over five per nine innings. His stuff—still lively but inconsistent—lacked the same late movement that once made him overpowering. It felt like watching a musician hit every note yet miss the melody. The command issues weren’t just mechanical; they hinted at a pitcher still trying to trust his body again after a serious setback.
A complicated decision for the Yankees
Now the Yankees face a dilemma. Gil is still just 27, affordable, and under team control for several more seasons. That kind of profile is gold for an organization trying to balance competing windows. If Gil can rediscover his 2024 form, he could once again become a vital piece in the rotation.
But the Yankees are also in win-now mode, and they have pressing needs—particularly in the outfield, infield and bullpen. The rotation also needs more certainties. With the front office exploring creative ways to retool, Gil’s name could easily surface in trade discussions. It nearly happened last offseason when he was mentioned as a possible centerpiece in a potential deal for Astros star Kyle Tucker before the Yankees shifted gears and acquired Cody Bellinger instead.
That history makes it clear the organization values Gil but isn’t blind to his market appeal. A young, controllable starter with past success is always attractive to rival clubs. Whether Brian Cashman views him as part of the solution or a means to acquire one will shape the winter.
Betting on talent—or turning the page
The Yankees have been here before with promising pitchers—some who blossomed, others who faded away. Gil’s journey feels like standing at a fork in the road: one path leading to redemption, the other to reinvention elsewhere. He’s healthy now, and a normal offseason and spring could go a long way in restoring his rhythm.
The question isn’t whether Luis Gil can pitch. It’s whether the Yankees still believe he’ll be doing it for them.
If they keep him, they’re betting on his talent, health, and mental reset. If they move him, they’re acknowledging the volatility that often defines young arms. Either way, Gil’s story remains one of promise and uncertainty—a reminder that in baseball, as in life, timing can change everything.
