Falcons bring back DL Eli Ankou

When the Falcons cut one more player than they needed to before last Tuesday’s deadline, it seemed obvious they were contemplating a signing. The question in my mind was whether they might consider adding a veteran to the mix along the offensive line, probe another seeming weak spot on the roster like backup quarterback, or just address a different need entirely after the first preseason game.

The Falcons have re-signed defensive lineman Eli Ankou, who spent a month with the team earlier this year. It’s evident the Falcons are not prepared to make any big, sweeping moves after one week of preseason, as Ankou will provide more depth along the defensive line in a week where Malon Davidson and John Cominsky are not expected to suit up, and to compete with the likes of Olive Sagapolu and Chris Slayton behind Tyeler Davison.

Ankou was an interesting signing when the team first brought him aboard, given that he had his moments with the Jaguars in 2017 and 2018 and offers quality size and power, and there’s always the possibility he knocks the coaching staff’s socks off over the next couple of weeks and sneaks by the likes of Sagapolu and Slayton for a spot. At the very least, he’ll give the Falcons another capable player to soak up snaps in a week where they’ll be a bit injury-depleted along the defensive line.

Welcome Ankou back, and we’ll see whether he can hang on to a roster spot in his second go-around in Atlanta this year.