Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney hasn’t been on the practice field during organized team activities (OTAs) as he continues to rehab his foot, which he fractured last November.
After news that safety Eddie Jackson practiced for the first time since suffering a Lisfranc injury last season, the hope was Mooney would also be ready to go. But while Mooney hasn’t participated in OTAs, head coach Matt Eberflus believes – “barring any setbacks” – that Mooney will be ready in time for training camp.
“Darnell is working his tail off,” Eberflus said. “He’s on track. He’ll be ready (for training camp).”
Mooney led the Bears in receiving before suffering a season-ending foot injury in Week 12. But it was Mooney’s breakout 2021 campaign that turned heads, as he logged his first 1,000-yard receiving season as the WR2 behind Allen Robinson.
Now, Mooney will get a chance to thrive in that role again after Chicago traded for DJ Moore, who will be Justin Fields’ top target, earlier this offseason.
Mooney is entering a contract year with Chicago, where he’ll be looking to prove himself in a crowded receivers room. Teammate Chase Claypool, who the team traded for last November, is also in the final year of his rookie deal.
