Atlanta Falcons Face Uphill Battle Without Top Receiver Drake London Due to Groin Injury
The Atlanta Falcons are set to face a significant challenge on Sunday, as they will be without their top receiver, Drake London, due to a groin injury. London, the team’s first-round pick in 2022, has been a pivotal figure in the Falcons’ offense, leading the team in targets, receptions, and yards and sharing the lead in receiving touchdowns with Bijan Robinson.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 213 pounds, London has consistently been a favorite target, with at least six targets in his past seven games and an impressive streak of at least five catches and over 50 yards receiving in his last four games. However, the Falcons will have to navigate this game without him.
Adding to the challenge, the Falcons are also making a quarterback switch from Desmond Ridder to Taylor Heinicke this week. It’s worth noting that it was Heinicke who threw the pass, resulting in London’s groin injury during the previous game against Tennessee. Despite London initially downplaying the severity of his injury, he did not practice throughout the week. Falcons coach Arthur Smith remains uncertain about when London will return but mentioned that the injury might not be as severe as initially feared.
With London sidelined, the Falcons will explore alternative options. They could turn to other wide receivers like Mack Hollins, KhaDarel Hodge, and newly acquired Van Jefferson, or they might consider shifting tight end Kyle Pitts to cover some of London’s routes.
Heinicke expressed confidence in his connection with Hodge and Hollins, citing their previous practice reps together, which proved beneficial in their recent game against Tennessee. However, the absence of London is undeniably a setback, though the fact that Heinicke was able to work with the potential replacements during the week, despite London’s absence, offers a glimmer of hope.
“It’s unfortunate,” Heinicke acknowledged. “Obviously, he’s a great player. But you saw what Red [Hodge] and Scotty stepped up, Van stepped up. So, I have a lot of confidence in those guys. Again, it’s unfortunate he’s not playing, but I have all the confidence in the world in those other guys.”
In addition to London, the Falcons will also be missing safety DeMarcco Hellams due to a hamstring injury and fullback Keith Smith, who is in concussion protocol.
Atlanta Falcons fans and fantasy owners alike have been disappointed with the amount of touches rookie running back Bijan Robinson is getting, especially in the red zone. The eighth-overall picks in the 2023 NFL Draft is the most talented player on the offense, but that’s not the case
On Wednesday, maligned Falcons coach Arthur Smith spoke out about what’s going on with Robinson’s red zone touches and overall use in the game plan. Take a listen to this five-minute diatribe.
First off, that body language by Arthur Smith is not very good at all. He’s mumbling, not really speaking clearly at all, and is not articulate whatsoever.
He points out that the team has scored touchdowns on 14 of 28 red zone possessions, which is not very good. That puts them at tied for 19th in the league. When you consider the talented players in that offense that should be good in the red zone like Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts, that’s pretty pathetic.
As for Robinson’s usage, it’s just not good at all. He’s one of the best running back prospects in the last decade, good enough for the Falcons to make him a top-ten pick in an era when the position is devalued. And, through eight games (Robinson has played in all nine but only played a few snaps in week 7 against the Buccaneers), he’s averaging just 18.7 touches per game. Robinson has only had one game with more than 14 carries, and the majority of goal line touches are going to Tyler Allgeier. Robinson only has one rushing touchdown, while Allgeier has 3. Neither of those totals are particularly good, but there’s no reason that Tyler Allgeier is getting more goal line touches than Bijan Robinson.
Still, the Falcons, at 4-5, are somehow still in the hunt for a playoff spot in the NFC South. But, they’re going to have to get better in the red zone, and to do that, they need to feed Bijan.
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