The NFL season is nearing its end. As happens every year, injuries are rearing their ugly heads. As fantasy football managers prepare to set Week 16 lineups, it’s important to stay informed on the latest injury news. Drake London returned to practice this week for the first time in a month. What is his current status and outlook for this week?
Is Drake London Playing Week 16?
London suffered a PCL sprain during the Falcons’ overtime defeat against the Carolina Panthers on November 16. The injury occurred in Week 11 and was initially expected to sideline him for one to two weeks. However, London has now missed four consecutive games.​
The extended absence has been longer than anyone anticipated when London was first diagnosed with the PCL sprain. The Falcons have now doubled the timeline for the worst-case scenario that was projected when the injury first occurred. London was not placed on injured reserve, which suggested the team anticipated him missing no more than three games.​
London has been classified as day-to-day for two weeks now, indicating that he has been nearing a return. Head coach Raheem Morris has been expressing optimism about London’s status, and he provided his most promising injury update on Monday. Morris said he is very hopeful London will return to the lineup for Sunday’s game.​
In a strange sequence of events for a player returning from a lengthy absence, London went LP-LP-DNP in practice this week. He is listed as questionable on the final injury report, but Morris said London is going to play. The head coach’s definitive statement removes most of the uncertainty surrounding London’s status for Sunday.​
London himself said he wants to play as much football as he possibly can until it is done for this year. His comments demonstrate a clear desire to return to the field and finish the season strong. The listing of London as questionable seems like a formality at this point.​
He wants to play. Morris is coaching for his job. The combination of London’s determination to play and Morris needing wins to secure his future makes London’s return highly likely.​
Expect London to be on the field on Sunday. Through nine games this season before the injury, London recorded 60 receptions for 810 yards and six touchdowns. The fourth-year wideout was off to a sensational start to the season before suffering the PCL sprain.​
London’s Fantasy Football Outlook
London has delivered exceptional production throughout the 2025 season. Before the injury, he posted three straight 100-yard receiving games and registered 18.9 fantasy points or better in each of his last three contests. His consistency had established him as a premier WR1 option, making his absence a devastating blow for fantasy managers.
Without London available, the Falcons receiving corps has lost its most dangerous weapon. Darnell Mooney has become the de facto WR1 but lacks the talent level to command the same type of target share London commanded. Kyle Pitts has seen significantly increased opportunities and has thrived in London’s absence.​
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Pitts just had the greatest performance by a tight end in the history of fantasy football (I am not counting things that happened in the 80s) with 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns in Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The fourth-year tight end has always been the beneficiary of London’s absence and sure looks like a potential league winner for fantasy managers who roster him. His monster performance against Tampa Bay demonstrated the upside he possesses when utilized as a primary receiving option.​
With London back, he will resume the alpha role, relegating Pitts to the second option in the passing game. However, Pitts is still very much worth starting. Obviously, London should be in lineups whenever he is active.
