FLOWERY BRANCH --Falcons starting left tackle Jake Matthews, who had offseason foot surgery, said he has been cleared for practice after checking into his condo for training camp on Thursday.
Also, right guard Jon Asamoah (ankle) has been cleared for practice.
The Falcons open practice on Friday.
Matthews, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft, started 15 games as a rookie.
"It feels good," Matthews said. "I'm ready to go. I'm cleared to do anything. When we start tomorrow, I will be out there and playing. I'm excited. It's been awhile."
Asamoah, who was signed as a free agent in 2014, started 15 games at right guard last season, suffered a serious ankle injury over the offseason. He was held out of most of the OTAs and minicamp.
"Rehab went well," Asamoah said. "We were real cautious with it in the offseason so when it came to this time, I would be good to go."
Asamoah wouldn't say it was a high ankle sprain.
"It was a tough one," he said.
Here are their bios the position-by-position series:
Jake Matthews, Texas A&M, 6-5, 305: The Falcons wanted to ease Matthews, the sixth overall pick in the draft in 2014, into the NFL by letting him start at right tackle last season. But after a season-ending injury to Sam Baker in the exhibition season, he was immediately moved to left tackle as we found out on Hard Knocks. He ended up starting 15 games, but was rated as the worst tackle in the league by profootballfocus. He was 56th (last) of the players who took more than 50 percent of their team's snaps. It was a baptismal by fire as he played 962 snaps, committed 11 penalties, gave up seven sacks, nine quarterback hits and 35 quarterback hurries. The Falcons elected to release Sam Baker and go with Matthews at left tackle, who maintain his composure and stature during a rugged rookie campaign. Because of the rough start, he could make a big jump in his second season.
Jon Asamoah, Illinois, 6-4, 305: He suffered an ankle injury during OTAs, but should be ready to go for training camp. He was the most solid player along the line last season. He played 966 snaps and gave up two sacks, three hits and 21 hurries. He was the 23rd rated guard of the group who played 50 percent or more of their team's offensive snaps, according to profootballfocus.com.
Links are below to the position-by-position series:
Thursday – Fullbacks/Tight ends
(Addition of DeMarcus Love on Wednesday)
TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE: The Falcons will hold their training camp at the team's headquarters for the 11th consecutive year and will have select practices open to the public from July 31 – August 19.
On Friday, August 7, the Falcons will hold their “Friday Night Lights” controlled scrimmage at Buford High School.
Here’s the training camp schedule:
Friday, July 31 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Saturday, August 1 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Sunday, August 2 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, August 3 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 4 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Wednesday, August 5 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Thursday, August 6 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Friday, August 7 – “Friday Night Lights” (Buford High School – open to the public)
Saturday, August 8 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Sunday, August 9 – Practice 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, August 10 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 11 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Wednesday, August 12 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Thursday, August 13 – Practice 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. (open to the public)
Friday, August 14 – Falcons vs. Tennessee Titans, Georgia Dome, 7:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, August 15 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Sunday, August 16 – Walkthrough (closed to the public)
Monday, August 17 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 18 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Wednesday, August 19 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
ROOKIE MINICAMP VIDEOS VIDEO:
Meet Falcons 2nd round pick CB Jalen Collins
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 3rd round pick RB Tevin Coleman
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 4th round pick WR Justin Hardy
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 5th round pick DT Grady Jarrett
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 7th round pick OT Jake Rodgers
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 7th round pick CB Akeem King
AJC's 2015 NFL DRAFT COVERAGE
Falcons pick Vic Beasley, pass on Todd Gurley
Scouting report: Vic Beasley the next DeMarcus Ware or a one-trick pony?
Grady Jarrett escapes fire before Falcons draft him
MARK BRADLEY COLUMN: Vic Beasley: The right pick at the right time
JEFF SCHULTZ COLUMN: Falcons' Quinn determined to fix pass rush in draft
STEVE HUMMER feature on first-round pick Vic Beasley
Falcons add CB Jalen Collins in the second round
Falcons add RB Tevin Coleman in the third round
Falcons' draft bios round 2 through 7
PHOTO GALLERY: Meet the Falcons draft class
VIDEO
Vic Beasley plans to be a double-digit sack guy
Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn on the first round of the draft
Falcons coach Dan Quinn on 4th round pick WR Justin Hardy
Dimitroff and Quinn on 5th round pick DT Grady Jarrett
Quinn on 7th round pick OT Jake Rodgers
About the Author
