Atlanta Falcons rookie Drake London leaves with apparent knee injury

Atlanta Falcons rookie receiver Drake London left Friday’s game with an apparent knee injury after being tackled around the legs in Atlanta’s first drive. London caught a 24-yard pass and was running towards the sideline when the receiver was wrapped up around the knees and taken to the ground.

London left the game after the play and was seen heading into the tent. Hardly the debut Atlanta was hoping for especially after the rookie had such an impressive catch to start his career.

It is worth noting that after the injury London returned to the sideline and was walking around the sideline. While he was obviously limping he was playing catch and still appeared to be engaged with his teammates suggesting that the injury hopefully wasn’t serious for the first-rounder.

London’s 24-yard catch was a glimpse of what Atlanta fans have to look forward to this season. There is a reason the team felt comfortable drafting London in the first round only a season after selecting pass catcher Kyle Pitts in the first as well.

Drake is currently projected to be Atlanta’s primary receiver with Bryan Edwards and Kyle Pitts joining him as the primary Atlanta pass catchers.

Hopefully, the injury is minor and won’t delay the obvious progress the rookie made in camp.  This injury is the argument against allowing starters to play in pre-season games that remain meaningless.

Though in fairness to Arthur Smith the team did appear flat out of the gate last season after not receiving many pre-season reps.  It is a decision that is going to be met with resistance no matter which side he chooses.

With a young roster and plenty of positions up for competition playing his starters was the right move.  Drake London’s injury is unfortunate but the receiver needed the benefit of live-in-game reps at the next level with a quarterback in Mariota who is still learning the Atlanta offense.