The Atlanta Falcons enter Sunday’s matchup against the 9–3 Seattle Seahawks needing a win to preserve their slim playoff chances, and they may have to do it shorthanded, too. Wide receiver Drake London remains out with a knee injury, and multiple defensive starters have also missed practice. At 4–8, the Falcons already face a tough battle, and their growing injury list only adds to the challenge.
Falcons Hopeful but Not Confident as Drake London Misses More Practice Time
Atlanta’s wide receiver sustained a knee injury in their Week 11, 27-30 loss in overtime to their NFC division rival, the Carolina Panthers. Before exiting the game late, London had seven catches for 119 yards. The extent of his injury was a PCL strain in his left knee.
He then missed their next game against the New Orleans Saints, where they defeated them 24-10. The offense did well without London, with players like wide receiver Darnell Mooney having three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown, but London being on the field adds another dynamic to the offense.
The Falcons were hopeful that London could have possibly played against the New York Jets in Week 13, but he was ruled out of that game as well, and Atlanta lost 27-24Â in a close contest.
London’s status has been week-to-week since the injury, but for this Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks at home, he’s considered day-to-day. According to Tori McElhaney of the official team site, head coach Raheem Morris discussed London’s potential to play this week, stating, “When he’s ready to go, Drake will be out there.”
It was also reported that London did not participate in practice on Wednesday as he was on another field working with the athletic training staff. London did not practice on Thursday, and that may be a concern, given that he’s day-to-day with a chance of playing against the Seahawks. The question is whether he will be ready to go even though he hasn’t practiced for two straight days this week.
London wasn’t the only one to not practice on Thursday, either, as defensive linemen Brandon Dorlus and David Onyemata were non-participants for multiple days this week. Safety DeMarcco Hellams was also a non-participant. The Falcons have dealt with a substantial amount of injuries this season, and it seems like they have the injury bug.
PFSN has the Falcons at offense at 76.3Â Impact Score, while the defense is at 76.0.
Thursday, Dec. 4
Full Participation
- N/A
Limited Participation
- ILB Josh Woods (hamstring)
- G Chris Lindstrom (foot)
- TE Feleipe Franks (calf)
No Participation
- WR Drake London (knee)
- S DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring)
- DL Brandon Dorlus (groin)
- DL David Onyemata (foot)
If the Falcons want to make a run for the playoffs, they have to get healthy and win the rest of their games. Atlanta is entering Week 14 after a loss to the New York Jets, while the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Minnesota Vikings last week.