Drake London Returns for Falcons in Week 16 Clash vs. Cardinals - But on a Snap Count
The Atlanta Falcons may be out of the playoff picture, but they’re getting a key piece of their offense back just in time for their Week 16 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals: wide receiver Drake London is officially active.
London, who’s been sidelined since Week 11 with a PCL sprain suffered against the Panthers, will suit up for the first time in over a month. That’s a welcome development for Kirk Cousins and an Atlanta offense that’s lacked its top wideout in recent weeks.
While his return is a boost, the Falcons are expected to manage London’s workload carefully. According to FOX NFL Sunday's Jay Glazer, the team plans to limit his reps this afternoon - a smart move considering the nature of his injury and the long layoff.
There was some concern about his status after London missed Friday’s practice, but the signs were pointing in the right direction all week. He logged limited sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, and head coach Raheem Morris consistently struck an optimistic tone. That optimism was echoed late Saturday night when NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter confirmed that London was expected to play.
Still, the Falcons are hedging their bets. The team elevated wide receiver Chris Blair from the practice squad on Saturday - a move that now makes more sense with London’s reps being capped.
That means we could see a mix of targets behind London, including Darnell Mooney and David Sills V, who’ve been carrying the load in his absence. Sills led the team with six catches for 78 yards last week against the Buccaneers, while Mooney, who came just shy of 1,000 receiving yards last season, continues to be a steady presence in the passing game.
London’s return, even in a limited role, gives the Falcons a much-needed weapon on the outside. His ability to stretch the field and win contested catches has been sorely missed, and even if he’s not at full strength, his presence alone could shift how the Cardinals approach this matchup defensively.
Bottom line: Drake London is back, and while fans and fantasy managers may need to temper expectations for a full workload, it’s a positive sign for Atlanta’s offense heading into the final stretch of the season.