Falcons get major injury updates on Drake London, Darnell Mooney before Vikings game

Mike Moraitis

Falcons get major injury updates on Drake London, Darnell Mooney before Vikings game image

The Atlanta Falcons got some great injury news on a pair of wide receivers in Drake London and Darnell Mooney ahead of the Week 2 game on Sunday.

According to the Falcons' final injury report, both London and Mooney carry no designation, which means both will play on Sunday versus the Minnesota Vikings.

Both players have been listed on back-to-back injury reports with shoulder issues to start the season. Mooney and London were limited participants at practice on Wednesday and Thursday before turning in a full session on Friday.

Having London and getting Mooney back is a huge shot in the arm for a matchup against a tough Vikings defense.

Drake London, Darnell Mooney will play in Week 2

Mooney will be making his 2025 season debut in Week 2 against the Vikings after sitting out last week's contest. London was able to suit up in Week 1 despite his shoulder issue and recorded eight catches for 55 yards.

While London was always expected to play this week, head coach Raheem Morris wasn't so sure about Mooney on Wednesday.

"That's not saying that he is (going to play)," Morris said of London on Wednesday. "But when you ask me, 'Do I expect him to play?' Of course. Drake is an ultimate tough guy, and when he says he's going to practice, that tells you a lot."

"We'll see as far as Mooney and playing and all those things," he said of his other receiver on Wednesday. "But we'll get him out at practice. That's always fun, putting him back into all the stuff that we've been doing.

"And we'll get a look and see toward the end of the week what he's got going on."

It goes without saying how important it is for the Falcons to have Mooney and London, both of whom were the Falcons' two best receivers a season ago.

London had a breakout year in 2024 after posting career-highs in receptions (100), receiving yards (1,271) and touchdowns (nine). Mooney revived his career with the Falcons last season after finishing with 992 receiving yards, the second-most of his career, and five touchdowns, a career-high.

Tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud both stepped up to help with Mooney out, totaling 59 and 51 receiving yards, respectively. Their roles figure to take a hit now that Mooney is back in the mix.

Minnesota and Atlanta will kick off from U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

MORE NFL NEWS

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.