No. 2 Bears Receiver Back in the Fold

Darnell Mooney has surfaced, in McCook, IL.

The Bears wide receiver wasn't around the media or the practice field throughout off-season work at Halas Hall while rehabbing from ankle surgery. He finally spoke about his health from his youth camp with WGN-TV.

"I'm feeling good," Mooney said. "I'm ready to roll."

Mooney was seen on social media working out with Justin Fields, Cole Kmet and DJ Moore at Maine South's high school field earlier this month. His training appears not to have been affected from the looks of it, as he appears in the best physical shape of his four-year career as he gets set to report July 25 for training camp.

"There's been some ups and downs," Mooney told WGN. "It's been a trial. Some things I've learned—I've enjoyed the journey of it. I've enjoyed the process."

He and Eddie Jackson went out in the same game against the Jets last November and spent much of the off-season together during rehab.

"I've learned a lot being able to sit down," Mooney said. "You can't really do too much. Rehabbing my ankle, especially with Eddie, being able to talk through some life things. It's been amazing."

Mooney expects more success in the passing game with the addition of DJ Moore and Justin Fields' second year within the attack.

"Another year in the same offense, under the same regime—we understand it," he said. "We're not just thinking about, 'Are we doing the right things? Are we not doing the right things?'

"I just know my Year 1 to Year 2 was a different thing, knowledge-wise."

There's a great deal of anticipation about where they can go, and Mooney admits this.

"I'm not on a hype train or anything," he told WGN. "We're just going to win. We have to win. Nothing else but that."

While Mooney wasn't on the field at OTAs or minicamp, the work he did with Fields and other receivers on their own will soften the impact of being back at practices.

“I’ve been with guys–Justin and all them," he said. "It’ll be the same thing. I’m not looking like, ‘Oh my God! I’m finally out there with them.’ It’s fun. It’s going to be normal to me. Just ready to get everything in line with the whole team, all 11 players.”

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