The Atlanta Falcons signed veteran defensive end Cameron Sample to a contract on Monday amid some uncertainty about the availability of their top pass rushers.
A fourth-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021, Sample has seven sacks and 26 quarterback hits in 61 career games.
The move comes with Atlanta anticipating a lengthy suspension for edge rusher James Pearce Jr., according to The Athletic.
The Falcons also lost pass rusher Jalon Walker to a season-ending torn ACL last week in training camp.
Sample, 26, had two sacks, 17 tackles and one forced fumble in 14 games (two starts) with the Bengals last season.
Sample signed with the San Francisco 49ers in April but was released last week.
Pearce, 22, could be suspended “at least eight games” under the NFL’s personal conduct policy following his February arrest in a domestic dispute, The Athletic reported.
The Falcons also activated offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor from the physically unable to perform list. Taylor, who signed with the Falcons in April, has made 111 starts at offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-22) and Kansas City Chiefs (2023-25). He played 12 games last season before he was placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury.
To make room on the active roster for Sample and Taylor, Atlanta waived offensive lineman Jack Nelson and long snapper Philip Florenzo.
–Field Level Media
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