FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Drake London’s value to the Atlanta Falcons may be even more obvious when he’s not on the field.
The team’s No. 1 wide receiver certainly was missed in their last-second 27-24 loss to the host New York Jets last weekend. With the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder missing his second consecutive game with a knee injury, Atlanta’s inability to find consistent fill-in production at his position was painfully obvious.
London was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday, leaving his status uncertain for Sunday’s home game against the Seattle Seahawks. Atlanta coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that London is day to day. That was an upgrade in status from last week but far from a guarantee the No. 8 pick of the 2022 NFL draft will be available to give quarterback Kirk Cousins and the passing game a needed boost.
The Falcons (4-8) — ahead of only the New Orleans Saints, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, in the NFC South Division — have lost six of their past seven games. To avoid their eighth consecutive losing season, they must win their last five games, starting with the visit from Seattle (9-3), which is tied for first place in the NFC West.
It would be an especially unlikely turnaround without London.