The Seattle Seahawks are getting a major break on both sides of the ball heading into their Week 14 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta has ruled out No. 1 wide receiver Drake London and leading sacker Brandon Dorlus for Sunday’s game, further thinning a Falcons roster already dealing with key injuries. The news comes from Atlanta’s official injury report.
London is dealing with a knee injury, while Dorlus is out with a groin issue.
Falcons Rule Out Drake London, Brandon Dorlus vs Seahawks
London had already missed practice time this week with the knee injury and is officially listed as out on the Falcons’ final Week 14 report. The former first-round pick is Atlanta’s top receiving threat and a focal point in the red zone.
Without London, the Falcons’ receiving corps takes a big hit. Depth receivers will be forced into bigger roles, and Atlanta will likely lean even more on tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson in the passing game.
On the other side of the ball, Dorlus’ absence is just as significant. The interior defensive lineman has been Atlanta’s most productive pass rusher this season and is listed as out with a groin injury. Losing their top sack producer weakens a Falcons front that already had a tough assignment trying to slow down Seattle’s offense.
The Falcons will also be without safety DeMarcco Hellams, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
What It Means for the Seahawks on Offense & Defense
From the Seahawks’ perspective, this is about as favorable an injury update as they could have hoped for in Week 14.
On defense, not having to deal with London simplifies the coverage picture. Seattle’s corners no longer have to match up against a true WR1 on the outside, which should allow defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to roll more help toward Pitts and the middle of the field. The Seahawks can challenge Atlanta’s replacement receivers to win one-on-one while tightening up on the Falcons’ primary security blankets.
On offense, Dorlus being out is a clear boost for Seattle’s protection. The Seahawks have shuffled their offensive line at times this year and are trying to keep quarterback Sam Darnold clean as they push for a playoff spot. Atlanta still has capable rushers, but losing its leading sacker reduces the number of one-on-one problems Seattle has to solve in pass protection.
If the Seahawks can stay balanced, avoid obvious passing downs, and keep Darnold upright, they should have opportunities to attack a Falcons defense missing both a key interior disruptor and a depth safety.
Other Falcons Injuries & Week 14 Context for Seahawks
The injury news isn’t all bad for Atlanta. Rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr. showed up on the report with a back issue and was listed as questionable, but is still expected to play. Veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata finally returned to practice in a limited capacity and is also listed as questionable with a foot injury.
Those two could help fill some of the void left by Dorlus up front, but neither changes the fact that the Falcons will be shorthanded at several important spots.
For the Seahawks, the assignment is straightforward: capitalize on a Falcons team missing its top receiver, its top sacker and a starting safety. Seattle’s defense has a chance to dictate the terms of the game against a short-handed passing attack, while the offense can look to control the line of scrimmage against a weakened front.
If the Seahawks are serious about stacking wins in December and solidifying their NFC playoff position, taking care of business against an injury-depleted Falcons squad in Week 14 is exactly the kind of opportunity they need to seize.
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