Drake London Start or Sit: Is Falcons WR Playing Today vs Buccaneers Amid Injury?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated Dec 11, 2025 11:46 AM ET

Drake London’s status has turned into one of the biggest questions for fantasy managers heading into Thursday Night Football, and the answer is finally clear. The Atlanta Falcons receiver is out for tonight's game, which is a major blow for a team that has been trying to find any spark on offense. The game tonight features the 4-9 Atlanta Falcons at the 7-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

London has not taken a snap since hurting his knee late in the Week 11 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 16. Since then, the Falcons have struggled to replace his production, and fantasy owners have struggled to find reliable alternatives.

London’s absence displays how much Atlanta depends on him to stretch the field, complete contested catches and keep drives alive. With the fantasy playoffs underway, many managers were holding out hope for a surprise return, but he will not be available.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5).Brett Davis-Imagn Images

London Officially Ruled Out

The Falcons official injury report ruled London out on Wednesday, confirming he will miss the Week 15 matchup against Tampa Bay. The team listed him as a non-participant all week.

This marks his fourth straight absence and his fifth missed game of the season. London has not practiced at all since suffering the PCL sprain, and despite being labeled day to day earlier this month, there has not been any noticeable improvement.

The short week only made a return less likely. London had been one of the NFL’s hottest receivers before the injury, recording three straight 100-yard games and leading Atlanta in almost every major receiving category.

Falcons WR Situation Tonight

Without London, Atlanta will once again have to rely on its depth players. The results have been mixed, and no one has shown the ability to replicate what London brings to the field. Here is how the wide receiver depth chart looks entering tonight.

Darnell Mooney
David Sills
Dylan Drummond
Deven Thompkins
KhaDarel Hodge
Casey Washington
Malik Heath

London is still the only Falcons receiver with at least 25 catches this season. The passing game has leaned heavily on Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson whenever London has been out. Mooney is expected to function as the WR1, but his production has fluctuated depending on game flow and how often Cousins checks down to Pitts or Robinson.

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.© Brett Davis-Imagn Images

What This Means For Fantasy

For fantasy football players, London’s continued absence hits at the worst possible time. He was averaging 90 yards per game and was on track for another 1,000-yard season. He also had six touchdowns in Week 11 and had been one of the most dependable receivers in the NFC.

With him out again, Pitts becomes the safest Falcons pass catcher to start, and Robinson should stay heavily involved in both the run and pass game. Mooney has some appeal for deeper lineups, but there is no true replacement for London’s volume or red zone presence.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: