The Atlanta Falcons prepare for their Week 14 home matchup against the Seattle Seahawks while dealing with significant injury concerns across their roster. Drake London has been sidelined since leaving the team’s overtime defeat to Carolina three weeks ago with a knee injury. Will fantasy football managers have their star receiver back this week?
Drake London Injury Update
London went down during the overtime period after recording seven receptions for 119 yards against the Panthers. The swift decision to remove him from action raised immediate concerns about the severity of the knee issue.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter initially reported that London’s knee injury was “not thought to be overly serious” and that the receiver might not miss time. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport echoed that sentiment, stating London was believed to have avoided serious knee damage.
Unfortunately, those initial reports about London’s status were overly optimistic. Ian Rapoport later confirmed that London would be sidelined for “at least” Week 12 with a sprained PCL. This update proved troubling because PCL sprains carry unpredictable recovery timelines.
London has not practiced at all since sustaining the injury. He was held out of practice throughout Week 12 and again all of last week.
Head coach Raheem Morris did offer an encouraging assessment before Week 12, stating he was hopeful London could suit up in Week 13. Morris revealed that if the decision were London’s alone, he would have taken the field. The coach clarified the team must “protect Drake from Drake.”
London did not play in Week 13 as expected. However, there was one sliver of optimism from last week. Ahead of Week 12, London was ruled out on Monday. Ahead of Week 13, Raheem Morris said London was doubtful on Monday.
There is no practical difference between “out” and “doubtful.” In both instances, a player’s chances of playing are 0%. But the fact that Morris said “doubtful” instead of “out” indicates at least some progress in London’s recovery.
On Monday, Morris’ words indicated more progression, as he described London as “day-to-day.” While that doesn’t guarantee a return this week, it’s certainly a positive sign.
The Falcons’ loss to the New York Jets makes it next to impossible for them to make the playoffs. But they have not been mathematically eliminated just yet. NFL franchises do not give up on playoff aspirations until elimination becomes mathematically certain. The Falcons cannot be eliminated from playoff contention for at least another week.​
If London is healthy enough to play, he will. The organization needs their star receiver to have any realistic chance at making the postseason.
London’s Fantasy 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.​
In his last six full games, London accumulated 651 receiving yards along with six touchdowns.
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Without London available, the Falcons receiving corps loses its most dangerous weapon. Darnell Mooney becomes the primary target, though he lacks London’s ability to dominate opposing defenses. Kyle Pitts and David Sills V also will see increased opportunities, but neither possesses the talent level to replicate London’s production.
The timeline for London’s return remains murky. PCL sprains are notoriously difficult to predict, and rushing back too quickly could result in further damage that extends the absence even longer. The Falcons medical staff must balance London’s desire to play against the risk of exacerbating the injury.
Fantasy managers who drafted London as a cornerstone piece must continue scrambling for alternatives during the fantasy playoffs. The combination of the injury’s nature and the team’s cautious approach suggests London will miss multiple weeks.
Monitor practice reports closely this week. If London can return to even limited practice, that would represent significant progress. But prepare contingency plans at the wide receiver position. The Falcons need London healthy for any realistic playoff push, which means they won’t risk his long-term availability for short-term gains.
