The Atlanta Falcons have signed wide receiver DJ Chark, according to reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The signing is reportedly a one-year deal for the veteran, who was in demand as a free agent.
Chark, a former second-round pick with a 4.34-second 40-yard dash time at the 2018 NFL Combine, has been part of four teams since being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. After his rookie contract ended in 2022, he joined the Detroit Lions for a year and then played with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 and the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024.
Chark was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2019 after recording 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 13.8 yards per catch and 67.2 yards per game. However, he has not reached another 1,000-yard season since then, coming closest in 2020 with 706 yards.
Last season, Chark participated in seven games with the Chargers due to a hip injury that placed him on injured reserve. During his active time, he managed four catches for 31 yards and one touchdown.
In total, Chark has made 216 receptions for 3,100 yards and scored 24 touchdowns over his career of 76 appearances and 51 starts. This results in an average of 14.4 yards per catch and 40.8 yards per game.
During their first training camp practice on Thursday, Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney suffered a shoulder injury after taking a hard fall while diving for a deep ball. Mooney left the field with a trainer and did not return. Although head coach Raheem Morris had not yet commented on Mooney’s condition before practice started, it was later announced that Mooney would miss “a few weeks” due to his shoulder injury.
Assistant general manager Kyle Smith clarified that Chark’s workout had been planned before Mooney’s injury occurred on Thursday, indicating no connection between the two events.
The Falcons are scheduled to continue their training with practices set for Saturday and Sunday.
