Is Drake London Playing Week 8? Will Fantasy Managers Have the Falcons WR Despite Injury?

What's the latest on Drake London's injury status, and is it possible he'll miss Week 8? Should fantasy managers be preparing for a replacement?

The NFL season is in full swing. As happens every year, injuries are rearing their ugly heads. As fantasy football managers prepare to set Week 8 lineups, it’s important to stay informed on the latest injury news. Drake London missed some practice time this week due to injury. What is his current status and outlook for this week?

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Is Drake London Playing Week 8?

Update: London is INACTIVE.

Update: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that London, who was added to the injury report on Saturday with a hip injury, will check in with the team when in Miami to see if he will play or not.


London was a full participant on both Wednesday and Thursday, with no health concerns to speak of. Everything appeared normal until Friday, when he was added to the injury report as limited with a hip injury.

Initially, it didn’t appear to be a major concern, as he wasn’t given an injury designation following practice. But the picture changed quickly when Atlanta downgraded him to questionable on Saturday.

All signs suggest the injury occurred during Friday’s practice. The club’s decision to downgrade him the next day likely indicates the hip did not respond well overnight, which can be a warning sign. Late-week additions like this nearly always create real uncertainty about a player’s readiness.

Head coach Raheem Morris did not rule London out but made it clear that the team would test his mobility during pregame warm-ups before deciding whether he can play. The Falcons have a history of taking a conservative approach with key offensive players, especially when they’re nursing soft-tissue or lower-body issues.

With quarterback Michael Penix Jr. already managing a knee injury, the staff may want to avoid compounding their offensive problems by pushing their star receiver before he’s ready.

The encouraging news for fantasy managers is that the Falcons have a 1:00 PM ET kickoff, which means London’s status will be confirmed early on Sunday. If he is held out, it will be a significant blow to an Atlanta offense already limping into its matchup with Miami.

London’s Fantasy Football Outlook

If London cannot go, the Falcons would be missing both their starting quarterback and their number-one wide receiver. That would push Darnell Mooney into the WR1 role, with Kyle Pitts operating as the secondary target. Mooney’s athleticism and rapport with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins make him a reasonable replacement option and a viable WR3 for fantasy players in deeper leagues.

Without London available, expect Atlanta to lean even more on the running game. Both Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier would figure prominently in the game plan, especially against a Miami defense that ranks among the league’s worst against the run.

MORE: Free Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer

Should London sit, Pitts would likely see more work in the middle of the field and near the red zone. The Dolphins have allowed the 15th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends, positioning Pitts as a solid top-12 option if extra targets come his way.

For now, fantasy managers should keep a close eye on Sunday morning reports. If London is active, he remains the clear WR1 in a favorable matchup against a Miami secondary that has struggled to contain opposing wideouts. But given the late-week injury and overnight downgrade, it’s wise to have an emergency plan ready before kickoff.

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