Falcons WR Drake London hauled in 10 of 12 targets for 172 receiving yards in Week 14 vs. the Buccaneers. Each of those statistical marks set new career highs for the second-year wideout. Fantasy managers have been on a roller coaster ride all season with London. Still, Sunday’s performance highlights the impact he’s capable of having when he’s prominently featured in the Falcons’ offense. There have been eight games in 2023 in which London has received 7 or more targets; he’s averaged 16.5 PPR points per game in those instances. In the four other games where he’s seen less involvement than that, London’s average dips to 3.4 points per game. It’ll be intriguing to see whether or not he’ll be able to capitalize on this success in Week 15, going up against a Panthers defense that ranks as the second-toughest WR matchup per our adjusted fantasy points allowed this season.
The Falcons have ruled LB Nate Landman (knee) out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Andre Smith looks like the next guy up, but we wouldn't go looking for a down-the-roster Atlanta LB in any format at this point in the fantasy season. Atlanta also ruled out DT David Onyemata (ankle). Onyemata and Landman hold the two best Pro Football Focus run-defense grades among Falcons front-seven players this season. So their absences can only help the matchup for Bucs RB Rachaad White. CB A.J. Terrell (concussion) and CB Jeff Okudah (ankle) are questionable for the game.
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson went off against the Saints in Week 12, racking up 123 scrimmage yards on 19 touches with 2 total TDs. Sunday was the first time the rookie had cracked 100 total yards in a game since Week 4 vs. the Jaguars. Robinson played on just 62.9% of the team’s offensive snaps and handled 47% of the RB carries, right around his season averages in those categories, so it’s not as though he just suddenly separated himself from the rest of the backfield. But moving forward, he’ll have a string of quality opportunities to ride this momentum and help fantasy managers in the fantasy playoffs. The Falcons’ remaining schedule ranks third-easiest for RBs per our adjusted fantasy points allowed. Next week, Robinson will take on a lowly Jets defense that has allowed at least 130 rushing yards to opposing offenses in nine of 11 games in 2023.
Falcons K Younghoe Koo (back) put in a full practice on Friday and isn’t listed on the final injury report for this weekend’s game vs. the Saints. He’s safe to use in Week 12 fantasy lineups.
Falcons K Younghoe Koo missed Wednesday's practice with a back injury. We'll keep an eye on his status over the next few days, but fantasy players hoping to start Koo should at least start thinking about an alternative.
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson took a season-high 22 carries for 95 yards (4.3 per rush) and a TD in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. That beat his previous high by 3 carries and marked eight more rushing attempts than he had received in a game since Week 2. Robinson's TD came from 5 yards out, just his third carry from inside the 10-yard line all season -- and his first since Week 6. Tyler Allgeier carried just nine times in a game that found Atlanta leading throughout the first half and the lead going back and forth after the break. Robinson added just one 11-yard catch among 2 targets, but only two teammates drew more targets as Atlanta attempted only 21 passes (vs. 41 rushes). If this signals a change in work split, then Robinson could be a fantasy difference maker the rest of the way. Atlanta now gets a Week 11 bye but faces four strongly positive matchups among the final six games after the bye.
Falcons WR Drake London (groin) practiced all week and is not listed on the final injury report for Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals. He can get back into fantasy lineups in the plus matchup. WR Mack Hollins (ankle) is out for Week 10.
Falcons WR Drake London (groin) was upgraded to full participation in Thursday's practice. He'll be ready to go for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals' 21st-ranked WR defense.
Falcons WR Drake London (groin) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. HC Arthur Smith said Monday that London is trending "in the right direction" for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals. We'll keep an eye on his progress over the next few days.
Falcons HC Arthur Smith said Monday that WR Drake London (groin) is trending "in the right direction" for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals. London didn't practice at all last week, but his injury never sounded like a long-term deal. We'll keep you updated on his progress throughout this week.
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson saw 11 carries for 51 rushing yards and 2 catches for 8 receiving yards in Week 9 vs. the Vikings. Fellow RB Tyler Allgeier was again a thorn in the side of the rookie, tallying 30 total yards and a rushing TD on a combined 14 touches in the contest. Allgeier’s involvement has cut into Robinson’s fantasy scoring lately. Over the past four games, Robinson only accounts for 34% of the Falcons’ RB touch opportunities. With how frustrating this offense is in the hands of HC Arthur Smith, it’s become tougher to project whether or not the former Texas standout is a low-end RB1 or middling RB2 each week. At least Week 10’s showdown vs. the Cardinals (third-easiest RB matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed) should present a get-right spot for Robinson.
Falcons WR Drake London (groin) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Vikings. That leaves Atlanta with WRs Van Jefferson, KhaDarel Hodge, Mack Hollins, and Scotty Miller. Seriously. TEs Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith should draw more targets with London out. RBs Bijan Robinson and Cordarrelle Patterson could also play expanded roles in the passing game.
Falcons WR Drake London (groin) remained sidelined on Thursday. We'll see if he hits the field for Friday's practice, but fantasy owners should not be banking on London playing vs. the Vikings this weekend.
Falcons WR Drake London (groin) won't practice on Wednesday, HC Arthur Smith said. Smith added that they'll "see how the week goes" with London and that he's "got a chance" to play vs. the Vikings this weekend. We'll keep an eye on his progress over the next few days.
A Monday MRI confirmed that Vikings QB Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles in the Week 8 win over the Packers, NFL Network reports. Cousins will miss the rest of the 2023 season. His contract is set to void in March, and Cousins will turn 36 in August, leaving his football future very uncertain. The Vikings, meanwhile, are left with QBs Jaren Hall and Sean Mannion for now. QB Nick Mullens, who at least has 655 NFL pass attempts under his belt, is eligible to come off IR next week. We'll see if Minnesota makes a move for a free-agent QB or swings a trade before tomorrow's trade deadline. Regardless, Cousins' absence is bad news for all of the team's skill-position players.
Falcons HC Arthur Smith said Monday that the groin WR Drake London suffered in Sunday's loss to the Titans "wasn't as bad as we thought," according to Tori McElhaney of the team website. Smith added that they'll watch London through the week, indicating he has at least a chance to play Sunday against the Vikings. We'll also keep an eye on London's status throughout the week ... and another on what Atlanta plans to do at QB.
Falcons DT Grady Jarrett suffered an ACL tear in Sunday's loss to the Titans, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He'll obviously miss the rest of the season and then try to return at age 31. The Jarrett injury, at least, shouldn't have much IDP impact. He had just 1.5 sacks and 9 solo tackles through eight games.
Falcons WR Drake London hauled 5 of his team-high 7 targets for 55 receiving yards in Week 8’s loss vs. the Titans. TEs Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith struggled on Sunday, however, with a combined 4 catches and 48 yards between them. It’s fair to estimate that perhaps some of these struggles can be attributed to the Falcons going from QB Desmond Ridder to backup Taylor Heinicke midway through the game. Still, this was not a particularly strong performance from Atlanta’s aerial attack. Projecting these pass-catchers for their upcoming matchup against the Vikings will be tough to do until we know who will be under center in Week 9.
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson rebounded in Week 8 vs. the Titans, tallying 62 rushing yards and a TD on 11 carries. The rookie also saw 5 targets in the contest but didn’t record a single reception. Overall, this level of involvement is a considerable improvement over last week’s dud vs. the Buccaneers. It seems wherever ailment prevented Robinson from seeing more touches in Week 7 is behind him. Fantasy managers should feel confident firing up the rookie in lineups next weekend vs. the Vikings.
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins is feared to have torn his Achilles in Sunday's win over the Packers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's typically easy for doctors to diagnose a torn Achilles without any imaging. We should get confirmation tomorrow, but Cousins' 2023 season is very likely over. His absence would leave Minnesota with QBs Jaren Hall and Sean Mannion. QB Nick Mullens is currently on IR with a back injury but is eligible to return. Regardless, Cousins' injury is horrible news for Minnesota's skill-position players.
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