Falcons activate Jawaan Taylor off PUP list and add DE Cameron Sample to training-camp roster

The Atlanta Falcons moved a key piece back into the flow of training camp on Monday, activating veteran right tackle Jawaan Taylor off the active/PUP list so he could begin practicing at AT&T Training Camp. The team’s official announcement marked a concrete step in Taylor’s return timeline, shifting him from limited participation to full team practice opportunities as the Falcons work through their preseason preparation.

Taylor’s activation matters because the Falcons’ offensive line continuity is usually tested early in camp by health and availability. With Taylor cleared to practice, Atlanta gains options at the tackle positions, improves reps for the unit’s protection schemes, and adds stability in pass protection and run blocking as the coaching staff evaluates depth and combinations.

Atlanta also used the day to alter its defensive front group. The Falcons signed defensive end Cameron Sample, adding another body to a position where late camp performances can determine who earns roster spots. For a team building its rotation, a new pass rusher also creates more competition for snaps during team periods and one-on-one work, particularly against the same offensive linemen who now include Taylor back on the field.

As part of the same sequence of roster management, the Falcons released two players, with the team noting that one of the released players was a former draft pick. The club did not include additional names in the portion of the announcement available here, but the move fits a broader pattern teams follow in August, trimming the bottom of the roster and aligning personnel with current practice needs.

From a football standpoint, Taylor’s return changes the information the Falcons can collect during camp. Practices do not just evaluate the player returning, they also affect how coaches build line continuity around him. With Taylor participating, Atlanta can stress-test communication, footwork, and assignment responsibility across the tackle spot, including adjustments that often show up in later preseason games.

For Sample, signing him now indicates the Falcons want immediate evaluation time. Mid-camp additions are commonly used to examine traits such as burst off the edge, hand-fighting, and ability to fit the scheme in live reps. That kind of assessment typically grows more important as roster decisions tighten going into the preseason.

Looking ahead, the main thing to watch is how quickly Taylor ramps into consistent practice volume after being activated off the active/PUP list, and whether Atlanta’s offensive line combinations stabilize around him. On the defensive side, the question is whether Sample’s early camp work earns him meaningful rotational reps in team drills as the Falcons continue to make final calls.

Taken together, the Falcons’ day-to-day roster updates suggest a club balancing return-to-play progress with ongoing competition. Taylor’s activation provides a direct infusion to the offense, while Sample’s signing and the accompanying releases reflect Atlanta’s push to finalize its depth charts before preseason games reduce the opportunity for experimentation.