Falcons’ Drake London has right AC joint shoulder sprain
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons wide receiver Drake London suffered a right AC joint shoulder sprain late in the 23-20 loss to the Bucs on Sunday.
He’s expected to miss some practice time, but could play when the Falcons face the Vikings on Sunday Night Football in Minneapolis.
“Drake London, late in the game, on the catch, no-catch end zone landed on his (right shoulder),” said Dr. David J. Chao, a former NFL team doctor. “The bottom line is an AC joint sprain. I don’t think it necessarily will cost him (a lot) of time. He may miss some practice, but that is something that you can treat with a game-day injection and play through. I’ve done it dozens and dozens of times for the Chargers across 17 years. It is something that he can keep rolling with. But he will miss some practice time, is what likely will happen with Drake London.”
Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who suffered a dislocated shoulder early in training camp, is nearly ready to return.
“I think Mooney is close,” Chao said. “I think it’s more likely they are both there. It’s least likely that neither one is there. (They’ll have) at least one of the two on Sunday night against the Vikings. The Vikings will be coming short rest after playing against the Bears (on Monday Night Football).”
Chao provides injury updates on his SICscore.com website after video reviews of the injuries. He’s considered an official injury expert.
London played 67 of the 76 offensive snaps (88%) against the Bucs. He was not on the field for the final offensive possession.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris did not provide an update for London on Monday.
“Not yet, any of the injury stuff, I won’t know and (won’t) confirm things until Wednesday,” Morris said. “I might know on Tuesday, but I’m not talking to (the media) tomorrow. But I won’t be able to confirm things on those until Wednesday for those and what’s happening as far as practice and how they are going to go. But Drake is a tough human. I feel good about it after talking to him. I just want to get some clarity on it.”
Mooney warmed up before the Bucs game but was declared inactive.
“Feel good about Mooney,” Morris said. “We’ll see. He did warm up. He’s been doing a lot of things that you guys have seen. Until I get a chance to sit down with all of the guys and discuss it, (with) our performance team, that happens (on Tuesday) and see where we are at there. Definitely have to do it (Tuesday) so we can get our planning going.”
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
