Atlanta Falcons head coach updates status of Drake London after preseason injury
Drake London left the Atlanta Falcons’ preseason opener against Detroit early with a knee injury and did not practice on Sunday, but the injury does not appear to be serious.
According to The Associated Press, London was held out of Sunday’s practice after injuring his knee early in the first quarter against the Lions. He asked out of the game after a 24-yard reception, had his knee looked at, and went into the team’s medical tent. He remained on the sideline after being ruled out, spotted in street clothes for the second half.
“It’s nothing that we’re really concerned about long term,” Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith said, per the AP. “We’ll be smart. He’s had a really good training camp. We hope to get everyone back by the time the regular season rolls around.”
London is coming off a broken ankle injury that cost him the final four games of the 2021 season with USC, so it’s understandable if the Falcons want to be extra cautious with their first-round draft pick. Smith was non-committal when asked if London would play again during the preseason.
“We’ll see and we’ll assess it week to week,” Smith said, per the AP. “He’s had a really good camp. He’s got his feet wet, and I’m pleased with him.”
According to ESPN, London is not expected to practice with the team this week.
London caught 88 balls last season with the Trojans for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games. He earned the Pac-12’s Offensive Player of the Year award and a spot on the all-conference First Team. London was taken with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by Atlanta.
The Falcons beat the Lions 27-23 to open the preseason. They have games remaining against the New York Jets on Monday, Aug. 22, and against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, Aug. 27. Atlanta opens its regular season at home against the Saints on Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. PT.