Falcons defensive end Steven Means, who played well enough last season to be re-signed, suffered a torn Achilles in OTAs and will miss the 2019 season.
Means suffered a non-contact injury Monday.
Means signed with the Falcons early in the 2018 season and played in eight games with four starts. He finished the season with 14 tackles (seven solo), three tackles for loss and one sack.
Means was re-signed to a one-year, $895,000 ($90,000 signing bonus) contract on Feb. 14, 2019. His salary cap number was $735,000.
Means and Bears linebacker Khalil Mack played three seasons together (2010-12) at the University of Buffalo. Means finished fourth on the school’s all-time sack list and the more celebrated Mack finished first.
Means, 28, who’s 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds, was drafted by the Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft, but has had trouble sticking with a team.
Means was cut one game into his second season with Tampa Bay. He was signed to the Ravens’ practice squad in October 2014.
He made it to the 53-man roster, but was in inactive. The following season, Means was cut by the Ravens and was signed to the Texans’ practice squad. He was with the Texans until the Eagles signed him in December 2015.
Means was on the 53-man roster in 2016 and 2017. He was inactive for the Eagles win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Overall, he’s played in 34 NFL games with four starts. The Falcons became aware of Means from his time in Philadelphia.
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn was contacted by another player about Means. So, when he was cut by the Eagles, the Falcons signed him Sept. 10 after safety Keanu Neal was placed on injured reserve.
Means finished his career at Buffalo with 186 tackles, 30.5 tackles for losses and 18.5 sacks.
