NFL Overreactions Week 17
USAT’s Prince Grimes breaks down the best games of NFL Week 17 and the unfolding playoff picture.
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Drake London was able to return to the Atlanta Falcons’ lineup in Week 16 after missing four games with a knee injury. Will he be able to play again in Week 17?
London was officially listed as “questionable” for the Falcons’ “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Atlanta has already been eliminated from postseason contention and is merely looking to play spoiler down the stretch, which led many to wonder whether the Falcons would actually allow London to suit up for the game.
Will London play in Week 17? Here are the latest updates on his status.
Is Drake London playing today?
The Falcons have not yet announced whether London will play in Week 17 against the Rams. He is officially listed as “questionable” on the team’s official injury report after being limited at each of Atlanta’s practice sessions because of a knee injury.
The Falcons will announce their inactives for Monday’s game roughly 90 minutes before kickoff. The game is set to begin at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Drake London injury update
London is dealing with a lingering knee injury that kept him out of the Falcons’ lineup for four games. He was able to return in Week 16 but recorded a season-low 27 yards on three catches in Atlanta’s 26-19 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
London had been listed as “questionable” ahead of his Week 16 return and earned the same designation in Week 17 after being “limited” at each of Atlanta’s practices ahead of the game.
That said, London’s entirely limited participation was actually an upgrade over his Week 16 status. Before that game, the 24-year-old wide-out was limited at the team’s first two practices of the week before being a non-participant in the team’s final session.
Perhaps that’s why Falcons coach Raheem Morris said he felt “great” about London’s chances of playing against the Rams despite his questionable designation.
Falcons WR depth chart
London is one of seven wide receivers on the Falcons’ 53-man roster. Below is a look at the pecking order within the unit:
- Drake London
- Darnell Mooney
- David Sills V
- Casey Washington
- Dylan Drummond
- Deven Thompkins
- Malik Heath
If London can’t play, Mooney and Sills would rack up most of the snaps at wide receiver while running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts would see an increase in targets.
The Falcons also elevated Chris Blair from their practice squad for Monday’s game. He got the nod over Nick Nash and KJ Osborn, though it isn’t clear if he will be active for the contest or if he was just insurance in case London couldn’t go.
