What we know about Drake London’s Week 16 status

After a four-week absence, Drake London is on track to make his return from a knee injury in Week 16. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver is expected to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

London is listed as questionable on Atlanta’s injury report. He returned to practice this week as a limited participant, and while he did not practice Friday, the messaging from inside the building has been notably confident.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was blunt when asked about London’s availability: “He’s playing.”

(For ongoing official updates and injury report context, you can cross-check coverage through ESPN NFL and the league’s hub at NFL.com.)

When did Drake London last play?

London’s last game action came in Week 12, when he caught seven passes for 119 yards in an overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. He then missed the next four games while rehabbing the knee issue.

That Panthers game also carried major fallout for Atlanta’s offense: quarterback Michael Penix Jr. tore his left ACL, effectively ending his season.

London says he’s been playing through more than just the knee

One reason London’s return has become such a big talking point this week: he revealed the knee injury wasn’t the only thing he was battling. London said Thursday he has dealt with shoulder and hip injuries as well over the past few months.

“I’ve been scratching and clawing to play every game this season,” London said. He added that the year “hasn’t been too well” on his body — and suggested the time off could even be “a blessing in disguise” as he pushes to finish the season strong.

Why the Falcons believe London changes everything

Morris said the Falcons have missed London “tremendously,” describing him as the engine of the offense — not only as the top receiving threat, but as an emotional tone-setter.

“Everything in the passing game goes through Drake,” Morris said, adding that London is regularly at the point of attack in the run game and serves as a focal point for what Atlanta wants to do on offense.

Sunday also carries a storyline wrinkle: it is expected to be London’s first start with Kirk Cousins at quarterback since last season.

Drake London’s 2025 stats

Fantasy football impact of Drake London’s return

If London is active, fantasy managers shouldn’t overthink it: his production before the injury was elite. He averaged 13 fantasy points per game and had 100+ receiving yards in five of six games leading into the knee setback.

The biggest ripple effects:

• Drake London: A clear must-start when healthy enough to play — WR1 upside immediately.
• Kirk Cousins: A boost in reliability with his top target back, raising his fantasy floor.
• Kyle Pitts: The likely downside. Pitts had stepped into the “top option” role while London was out, and a target-share drop is the obvious risk.

One nuance worth noting: London’s most explosive stretch largely came earlier in the season, and Week 16 will be an important read on how quickly the Cousins-to-London connection snaps back into rhythm.

What to watch once the game starts

• Snap count and early usage: Is London immediately the first read, or eased in?
• Red-zone involvement: Do the Falcons look his way near the goal line right away?
• Pitts’ role: Does his usage hold, or does it shrink back to secondary option status?

Bottom line: even with the “questionable” label, all signals point to London returning — and the Falcons’ offense (and fantasy decisions) shifting back around him the moment he’s on the field.

You may also like

Who Won Bears vs Packers — and How Did Chicago Pull It Off?