Falcons WR Room Hits Breaking Point as Casey Washington Remains Inactive for Third Straight Week
Back in training camp, Raheem Morris couldn’t stop praising Casey Washington. The rookie wideout, a late-round pick in 2024, was making plays, earning reps, and looking like a potential steal. Fast forward to December, and Washington isn’t just buried on the depth chart-he’s not even suiting up.
For the third straight week, Washington is a healthy scratch for the Atlanta Falcons, a team that desperately needs help at wide receiver. With Drake London sidelined again, the Falcons are rolling into a critical late-season matchup against the Seattle Seahawks with one of the thinnest receiving groups in the league-and Washington still isn’t part of the plan.
From Preseason Promise to Inactive List
Washington’s fall from preseason standout to gameday inactive is hard to ignore, especially considering the state of Atlanta’s receiver room. The Falcons are without their top target in London, who has carried the load all season as the clear WR1. Without him, the offense is leaning on a patchwork group that includes Dylan Drummond, Deven Thompkins, Darnell Mooney, David Sills V, Jamal Agnew, and KhaDarel Hodge.
It’s not exactly a group that strikes fear into opposing secondaries-especially not Seattle’s, which has been one of the stingiest in the league. The Seahawks come in with a top-tier pass rush and a deep, physical secondary. And Atlanta is countering with a receiving corps that, on paper, looks like a preseason lineup.
That makes Washington’s absence even more puzzling. He was supposed to be the next man up. Instead, he hasn’t seen the field in three weeks, despite the Falcons being short-handed and in dire need of playmakers.
A Costly Miscalculation?
Washington’s situation raises fair questions about the decisions made by both head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. Morris had enough confidence in Washington to keep him off the field during the preseason, effectively handing him a roster spot based on what he saw in camp.
That’s not something coaches do lightly. But now, with the season on the line, that same player can’t crack the gameday roster.
It’s not just about one player, though. The Falcons’ receiver depth has been an issue all year.
Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud were expected to provide veteran stability, but that plan hasn’t panned out. Injuries and inconsistency have left the unit scrambling, and the front office didn’t do enough to address it.
Fontenot bet on internal development and continuity, and that gamble looks increasingly risky. With London out, the Falcons are left with a group of receivers that would struggle to start for most teams-and that’s not hyperbole. For a team still clinging to playoff hopes, it’s a tough pill to swallow.
The Road Ahead
With Washington inactive and London unavailable, Atlanta faces a steep climb against a Seahawks defense that’s found its rhythm. Seattle’s front seven has been relentless, and their secondary has the length and speed to press and disrupt. It’s a matchup that heavily favors the defense, especially with the Falcons lacking a true go-to option in the passing game.
The Falcons’ offensive game plan will need to be creative, leaning on the run game, tight ends, and maybe even some gadget plays to move the ball. But make no mistake-this is a team playing without its best receiver, and with its most intriguing young wideout watching in street clothes for the third straight week.
There’s still time for Washington to carve out a role, but the clock is ticking. And for a team that needs every spark it can get, leaving potential talent on the sidelines is a risk that could come back to haunt them.