FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Drake London said Thursday he believes he’ll play in the Atlanta Falcons’ Week 16 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Whether that’s true will remain to be seen Sunday at State Farm Stadium. There is no doubt, however, he wants to be active.
“We’re trending in the right direction,” London said.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Monday that London upgraded from a week-to-week to a day-to-day status with his knee injury. Morris was “very hopeful” for Sunday’s game at the time, and London has since been a limited participant in practice this week. One session remains Friday before game statuses are determined. Inactives won’t be revealed until game day.
London presumably sustained his PCL injury late in the fourth quarter of the Falcons’ Week 11 loss to the Carolina Panthers. He was ruled out at the start of overtime.
London has missed the following four games, in which the Falcons went 2-2. Kyle Pitts Sr. has been the offense’s No. 1 receiver in the meantime. He had 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns in last Thursday’s Week 15 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Although London was happy about Pitts’ performance – he did earn NFC Offensive Player of the Week – he has admittedly been frustrated stuck on the sideline.
“I just try to be the best teammate that I can possibly be,” London said. “Yeah, obviously, it hurt. You want to be out there, knowing you can contribute. But I don’t want to be a hindrance to the team by trying to be a tough guy and play.”
London also missed the Falcons’ Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins because of a hip injury. He had been a full participant in Wednesday and Thursday practices but limited Friday. He entered with a questionable game status and was ruled out with the inactives list on game day.
“I’ve been scratching and clawing to play every game this season,” London said. “A lot of people don’t know that, but the season hasn’t been too well on my body. So, could be a blessing in disguise that this happened. I don’t know, but just trying to fight back and get out there on the field.”
London had previously only ever missed one game in a single season since being drafted by the Falcons in 2022, and that was in 2023 due to a groin injury. This is a new experience in the pros for the former first-round pick.
“I have very, very big aspirations, especially when it comes to injuries and stuff like that,” he said. “I want to get back out there quick as possible. But everything is going smoothly. I’ve been making good strides and leaps. That’s all I can ask for.”
The fact that the Falcons are eliminated from the playoffs doesn’t sway London’s opinion on the matter. There are three games remaining on the schedule. That’s three opportunities to do what he loves.
“I want to play as much football as I possibly can,” London said, “until it’s done for this year.”