The Los Angeles Rams already know they won’t have Davante Adams available Monday night. Across the field, however, the Atlanta Falcons could be getting a critical offensive piece back at exactly the wrong time.
Falcons wide receiver Drake London is officially listed as questionable for Week 17 after missing the last four games with a knee injury, but head coach Raheem Morris expressed optimism about his availability.
“I feel great about it,” Morris told reporters Saturday.
If London does return, it would significantly reshape the matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Why Drake London Changes Everything for Atlanta
London has been the engine of Atlanta’s passing offense in 2025. In 10 games, he’s totaled 63 receptions for 837 yards and six touchdowns, while commanding 102 targets.
The Falcons are a markedly different offense when London is on the field:
- Points per game: 21.0 with London, 13.0 without
- First downs per game: 19.1 with London, 17.0 without
- Total yards per game: 345.4 with London, 330.8 without
London averages more than 10 targets per game and produces 3.5 yards after the catch per reception, giving Atlanta a reliable chain-mover and red-zone threat. His six touchdowns underline his importance near the goal line, where the Falcons finish drives more efficiently when he’s active.
Against a defense that has undergone recent personnel adjustments in the secondary, London’s presence would represent a major stress test.
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Falcons Injury Report: Key Defensive Absences
While London’s status is trending up, Atlanta will be without several contributors elsewhere.
Atlanta ruled out cornerbacks Mike Hughes (ankle) and Clark Phillips (triceps, illness), along with defensive lineman Sam Roberts (knee, ankle). Their absence could impact Atlanta’s ability to match up defensively if LA can exploit favorable looks in the passing game.
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Rams Cornerback Breakdown: Who Matches Up Best With London?
If London plays, the Rams’ coverage plan becomes far more complicated. Several corners have logged meaningful snaps this season, each with different strengths — and limitations.
Ahkello Witherspoon: The Best Physical Match
At 6-foot-2½, Witherspoon is the tallest corner on the Rams’ roster and the closest physical match to the 6-foot-4 London. His length makes him the most natural option to contest jump balls and boundary throws.
That said, Witherspoon has played just 115 defensive snaps across four games and has been a healthy scratch the past two weeks. Whether the Rams activate him specifically for this matchup remains one of the more intriguing tactical questions heading into Monday night.
Emmanuel Forbes: Experience and Ball Skills
Forbes has logged 770 defensive snaps and recorded three interceptions this season. While shorter than London, he has experience matching up against bigger receivers and brings strong instincts and ball production.
He’s allowed a 59.7% completion rate when targeted, but has surrendered six touchdowns — a reminder of the risk-reward nature of his aggressive style.
Cobie Durant: Proven, But Undersized
Durant has played more snaps than any LA corner and matched Forbes with three interceptions. He has also seen the most reps against receivers 6-foot-2 or taller.
The challenge is obvious: at under 5-foot-10, Durant would be giving up a significant height advantage against London, making contested catches a concern.
What London’s Status Means for Monday Night
If Drake London returns, the Falcons immediately gain an offensive boost of nearly eight points per game. His ability to sustain drives, win contested catches, and convert in the red zone could test a secondary still sorting out roles and matchups.
For Los Angeles, the decision may come down to whether to counter London’s size with Witherspoon’s length, lean on Forbes’ experience, or mix coverages to limit his impact.
Either way, London’s availability could swing the complexion of a game with playoff implications — and force the Rams to adjust on the fly against one of the NFC’s most physically imposing wide receivers.