The Atlanta Falcons are set to play on Thursday Night Football this week. That means their players have less time to prepare and recover for the game. One player who could be negatively affected is wide receiver Drake London. He suffered a PCL injury on Nov. 16th and looks like a long shot to play Thursday against Tampa Bay.
London is the best receiver on the Falcons and one of the most impactful playmakers in football. His absence has hurt the Falcons and is one reason why they have lost back-to-back games.
London Unlikely to Play Thursday
The Falcons are not going to the playoffs this season, so they may want to be cautious with London. According to Tom Pelissero, London was listed as a non-participant in Monday’s estimated practice report. The chances we see London on Thursday are slim, and that opens the door for the rest of the Falcons’ receivers to step up.
Falcons WR Drake London was listed as a non-participant on today’s estimated injury report.
London hasn’t played since suffering a PCL injury Nov. 16 and is now in line to miss a fourth straight game Thursday night vs. Tampa Bay.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 8, 2025
Some players the Falcons will rely on are Darnell Mooney, David Sills, and tight end Kyle Pitts. Pitts has made the most of his opportunities, recording at least 82 yards in back-to-back games. The Falcons’ offense has been led by veteran Kirk Cousins, who took over for Michael Penix Jr., who is out for the season.
The injury bug has bitten the Falcons this season, which is one reason their season has been derailed. Sitting at 4-9, the Falcons will have to make some tough decisions about the future of their franchise this offseason.
Falcons May Be Headed for Rebuild
The Falcons made a costly decision during the 2025 NFL Draft by agreeing to trade their 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams. So, despite their poor season, the Falcons will not have a first-round pick this year. That is a tough pill to swallow for Atlanta; however, they must find other ways to improve their roster.
First and foremost, they need to decide if they want Penix Jr. to be the quarterback of their future. He has shown flashes of good play in his first two seasons; however, the Falcons may feel they can do better.
One thing is sure about the Falcons: London will be a part of their team next season, and he should continue to be one of the best playmakers in football. According to PFSN, London is the 8th-ranked wide receiver in WR Impact Score with an 85.5. The Falcons should take their time with his injury amid the lost season.
