Top pick iffy for opener Sunday

Falcons wide receiver Drake London (knee) and cornerback Darren Hall (quad) were listed as questionable Friday on the team’s official injury report.

The Falcons open the season against the New Orleans Saints at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-benz Stadium.

London, who was the eighth player and first wide receiver taken in the NFL draft this year, was slated to play a big role in the offense this season. However, he was hit on his knee in the exhibition opener against Detroit on Aug. 12.

He returned to practice Monday,havingmissedthree weeks of action. He was limited in practice Friday. He has not spoken to the media this week, as he was receiving treatment during media availability.

“He’s progressing,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Friday. “If we give a helmet to a guy on Sunday, we have a lot of confidence in him.”

London and Hall will need to pass a physical fitness test today.

“If we don’t (play an injured player), there is a reason why,” Smith said. “If we think, ‘Hey, this is a long season, we don’t think it’s worth it for the player’s health and the team,’ we won’t do it. I would never put somebody out there who would risk themselves to further injury or that wouldn’t be mentally ready or sharp.”

After being out for three weeks, London’s endurance could be an issue, along with the strength in his knee and leg.

“You try to do as much,” Smith said. “That’s the good thing with the modern technology. There are things that you can do, but nothing replaces (cardio). You try the best that you can to get cardio, whether it’s in the pool with the different kind of treadmills that they have. There is nothing that replaces the actual running.”

If London does play, the Falcons might have to monitor his snap count.

“If he’s able to go and we play him, you’ve got Plan A,” Smith said. “You feel good about it, or Plan B if he needs to be managed.”

Hall, a backup defensive back, has been dealing with a nagging quad.