Drake London injury update: Latest on Falcons WR for Week 16

The Atlanta Falcons may finally see their top wide receiver return in Week 16.

Atlanta’s first injury report of the week lists Derek London as limited for practice on Dec. 17.

London suffered a knee injury late in the regular season on Nov. 16 during the Falcons’ overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 11. Since the injury, he didn’t return to action until Atlanta’s first practice of Week 16 on Wednesday.

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Atlanta’s Week 15 game was the fourth straight game London has missed with a knee injury. It was also the fifth game the third-year receiver has missed this season.

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Despite missing the Falcons’ last four games, London still leads the team in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, 20+ yard receptions and first downs.

Here are the latest injuries in London:

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When will Drake London return?

London will likely return from a PCL sprain in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals. He returned to training as a limited participant on December 17, his first time joining the team since his injury on November 16.

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The Falcons’ top receiver suffered a knee injury late in regulation during Atlanta’s Week 11 loss to the Panthers. He had missed all practices and games since the PCL sprain until Dec. 17, even though Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told reporters on Dec. 1 that London’s status had been upgraded to “day-to-day” ahead of Week 14.

After Morris was updated, the wide receiver missed two more games in Weeks 14 and 15.

London’s status for Week 16 remains unclear, but his return to practice on Wednesday is a positive sign that his return may be imminent.

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Drake London Data

London had over 100 yards in each of his final three games before suffering a knee injury in Week 11. Here are his stats through 14 weeks and 9 games:

London’s 13.5 yards per catch would be his career high in a single season. The Falcons’ leading receiver is averaging 90 yards per game, so if he returns next week, he could still hit the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight year. London needs three more touchdowns to tie his career high of nine touchdowns set last year.

Falcons WR Depth Chart

• Drake London (out – knee)

The Falcons have a lot of wide receivers on their roster, but few outside of London can make significant contributions in Atlanta’s passing attack. Despite all the time missed, London remains the only Falcons wide receiver with more than 25 catches. Tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson were the only other pass catchers to surpass that mark.

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Mooney, Washington, Hills, Drummond, Hodge and Tompkins combined for 58 catches, still ranking fourth cumulatively, behind Pitts (73), London (60) and Robinson (64).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Drake London return? Falcons WR Latest Updates