Falcons News
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London will miss Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints after the team ruled him out with a knee injury. London sustained a sprained PCL in his left knee during the Week 11 loss to Carolina, an injury that could sideline him for multiple contests.
The Falcons placed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. on injured reserve earlier this week after confirming he requires season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn ACL. Penix sustained the injury in the same Panthers game that knocked London from the lineup. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins will start for Atlanta moving forward.
London leads the Falcons with 60 receptions for 810 yards and six touchdowns through nine games. He averaged approximately nine targets per contest before the injury. His absence creates opportunities for other pass catchers in an offense that has struggled through a five-game losing streak. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Kyle Pitts are positioned to absorb London’s target share. Mooney returned from his own hamstring injury in Week 7 but has produced inconsistent results. The veteran receiver has exceeded 35 yards receiving just once in four games since his return, catching three passes for 68 yards against San Francisco in his comeback performance.
Mooney demonstrated chemistry with Cousins during the 2024 season when both joined the Falcons. He recorded 64 receptions for 992 yards and a career-high five receiving touchdowns last year, including two games exceeding 100 yards. All five of his touchdown catches came with Cousins throwing the football.
The Falcons face a challenging situation with their top two offensive weapons sidelined. Atlanta has dropped to 3-7 on the season and sits four games behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South standings. The team has not reached the playoffs since 2017.
Pitts has caught 47 passes for 434 yards and one touchdown this season. Pitts should see increased involvement in the passing attack alongside Mooney. Other receivers on the depth chart include David Sills and KhaDarel Hodge.
Cousins completed just six of 14 passes for 48 yards after entering the Carolina game in relief of Penix. The 37-year-old quarterback started the first nine games of the 2024 season before being benched in favor of Penix. He threw for 2,331 yards with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions during that stretch.
The Saints enter Sunday’s matchup with a 2-8 record. New Orleans ranks among the bottom teams in multiple defensive categories this season. Atlanta needs victories in its remaining games to maintain any playoff hopes, though mathematical elimination appears imminent.
London’s PCL injury typically requires several weeks of recovery, depending on severity. The nature of the sprain suggests he could miss additional time beyond this week’s contest. Fantasy managers should prepare for an extended absence from the Falcons’ leading receiver.
Mooney played 80 percent of offensive snaps in Week 11 despite limited production. He caught three passes for 34 yards on seven targets against Carolina. The veteran has struggled to find consistency this season, but could benefit from an elevated opportunity with London sidelined.
The Falcons offense ranks 18th in passing yards per game. The unit has failed to establish rhythm under either Penix or Cousins at quarterback. Running back Bijan Robinson remains the focal point of the ground attack, while Tyler Allgeier provides complementary carries.
Atlanta hosts the Saints at noon Sunday in a divisional matchup. The Falcons have lost five consecutive games and face mounting pressure to salvage their season. London’s absence removes their most productive receiver from a struggling offensive unit.
