A key member of the Atlanta Falcons’ offense is dealing with an injury after Week 1.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, wide receiver Drake London is day-to-day after suffering a shoulder sprain in the Falcons’ 23-20 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Before exiting Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter, London had eight catches for 55 yards. He brought in what appeared to be a touchdown catch, though it was ruled that the ball hit the ground. The near-touchdown was also the play in which London injured his shoulder.
London, the eighth overall pick in 2022, has had a strong start to his career and had a breakout year in 2024, recording 100 receptions for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns, all of which were career highs. He had the fourth-most receiving yards in the NFL last year.
Being without London against the Minnesota Vikings would be a major blow, especially when considering Atlanta could be without another key receiver as well. Darnell Mooney didn’t play against the Bucs because of a shoulder injury he suffered in practice in July, and his status is still up in the air for Week 2.
Mooney was the Falcons’ second-leading receiver behind London last year, recording 992 yards and five touchdowns.
If London, Mooney or both are out next week, the offensive game plan will likely revolve around the run game and running back Bijan Robinson. Robinson had just 24 rushing yards on Sunday but collected 100 yards and a touchdown through the air.