Falcons Sign Former Eagles DE Means

By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Staff

When the Eagles released their 53-man roster, perhaps the biggest surprise was that defensive end Steven Means was not on it.

Means was the victim of the deepest defensive line in football. Despite an impressive preseason where he tallied nine tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble and demonstrated his leadership not only among those on defense, but assisted former rugby star Jordan Mailata by explaining to him the moves he made that allowed Means to so easily push by the giant left tackle, Means became the 54th man on the roster. The last and most difficult cut.

Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network is reporting that Means has signed with the Atlanta Falcons

#Falcons are signing DE Steven Means, sources say. Means was the 54th guy on the #Eagles’ 53-man roster and a tough cut for them after registering three sacks in the preseason finale.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 10, 2018

Means played in parts of 14 games for the Eagles over the last two seasons. He made six tackles, two sacks and forced a fumble in limited snaps. Means may have a chance to earn more playing time with the Falcons than he would have with the Eagles and play himself into a nice contract.

Means will take the place of Keanu Neal, who tore his ACL in the season opener where the Eagles handed the Falcons the first loss of the 2018 season.

The Falcons signing Means may hurt the Eagles in two separate ways. First, if Means was a free agent and any injuries were to happen on the defensive line, the Eagles would have Means available as a replacement. Second, the Falcons are one of the best teams in the NFC and, if the Eagles make the playoffs, they are likely to meet the Falcons and Means, who is a skilled pass rusher and knows the Eagles players very well.