Bears coach Matt Nagy said Monday he is unsure of the status of top linebacker Roquan Smith and rookie wide receiver Darnell Mooney for their playoff game at the Saints on Sunday. Mooney (ankle) and Smith (elbow) left the Packers game Sunday and did not return.
“What you guys are seeing from Mooney is there is a lot of extra effort that goes on when he catches the ball,” Nagy said. “He’s trying to make guys miss. He doesn’t run out of bounds very much. So it’s just one of those deals where he just got rolled up on a little bit.
“Those two guys right now, I think they’re both playing at an extremely high level — one being a rookie, the other one being somebody who might be playing as well as any defensive player in the NFL right now.”
Mooney has been among the team’s top offensive players; only running back David Montgomery (1,508) and wide receiver Allen Robinson (1,249) have more yards of total offense than his 651. Robinson leads in passing targets with 151, followed by Mooney at 98.
Mooney was the 25th receiver picked in the draft this season, a fifth-round selection at No. 173 overall out of Tulane, but finished seventh in the rookie class with 631 yards receiving.
Smith has had a dominant season worthy of a Pro Bowl selection. He finished sixth in the NFL in tackles (139) and fourth in tackles for loss (18). He also had four sacks (third on the Bears) and two interceptions.
