Means, who registered four tackles during Atlanta's 44-27 Week 17 loss to the Buccaneers, concluded the 2020 season with 38 tackles, six QB hits, three sacks and two forced fumbles over 16 game appearances.

EDGE Analysis

Means had never started more than four games in a season over his first five active professional campaigns with the Buccaneers, Ravens, Eagles and Falcons between 2013 and 2018. He then went on to miss all of last season while recuperating from a ruptured Achilles. However, in 2020, the 30-year-old defensive end totaled 11 starts while establishing career highs with his totals in tackles, sacks and appearances. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent in March as Atlanta prepares to welcome in a new general manager.

Means (hand) was a full participant at Thursday's practice, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means played through this injury last week and handled his typical allotment of defensive snaps (63 percent). The veteran defensive end didn't record a tackle, marking the fourth time this season he put up a goose egg in the category. Means should nevertheless see plenty of playing time in a Week 16 matchup against the Chiefs.

Means (hand) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old saw his practice workload reduced last week as well, heading into the Falcons' Week 15 matchup against the Buccaneers. Means was able to fight through his hand issue to take on the divisional foes last Sunday, fielding 43 defensive snaps without recording a tackle. He'll have two more practice days to round himself into form before the team makes a call on his Week 16 injury designation for a matchup against the Chiefs.

Means (hand) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

EDGE Analysis

Means was limited by the hand injury at practice throughout the week, but his availability for Sunday's divisional matchup isn't in doubt. The 30-year-old is seeing the most action of his NFL career in 2020 and has 33 tackles (19 solo), three sacks and two forced fumbles in 13 games.

Means (hand) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means has been enjoying his most impactful professional season in 2020, collecting career highs in starts (eight), tackles (33), sacks (three) and forced fumbles (two) while earning recognition as the Falcons' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. The Buffalo product has been especially active of late, with three sacks over his past three outings. Means' practice workload Thursday and Friday will be worth monitoring to get a gauge on his status for a Week 15 matchup against the Buccaneers.

Means registered three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble during Sunday's 21-16 loss to New Orleans.

EDGE Analysis

Means provided a critical defensive spark in the NFC South showdown, registering a strip-sack of Taysom Hill will 11:21 to go in the fourth quarter. After Deion Jones scooped up the loose ball, Atlanta would cut New Orleans' lead to five points eight plays later by virtue of a Matt Ryan-to-Russell Gage TD pass. Though the takeaway wasn't ultimately enough to change the Falcons' fate in the game, Means has collected three sacks and two forced fumbles over his past pair of appearances.

Means tied for a team-high six tackles, collecting one sack and a forced fumble during Sunday's 43-6 win against the Raiders.

EDGE Analysis

Means helped initiate Derek Carr's third lost fumble of the contest, reaching the quarterback with 12:13 to go in the fourth quarter and forcing the ball into the hands of teammate LaRoy Reynolds. The play provided Means with his first sack of the 2020 campaign, though he was able to generate a combined three QB hits over 10 appearances prior to Week 12. He's logged starts in four consecutive games as the Falcons prepare for an upcoming Sunday afternoon matchup against New Orleans.

Means was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means is back in the mix at defensive end after serving a nine-day stint on the reserve list. With that much missed practice time leading into Week 1, it remains to be seen what his workload will look like behind starters Takkarist McKinley and Dante Fowler on Sunday against the Seahawks. Means played 15 percent of the defensive snaps for the Falcons when he was last active in 2018, and he is expected to establish a role in the defensive line rotation as the season wears along.

Means (illness) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means becomes the eighth Falcon to endure a stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list, though he is the lone Atlanta player currently being held out over COVID concerns. Per NFL policy, a team is not permitted to disclose whether a player is being quarantined because of a positive test or exposure to someone who tested positive, leaving Means' timetable for return uncertain at this time. Once able to make it back on the field, the 29-year-old will continue to provide depth at defensive end behind presumed starters Takkarist McKinley and Dante Fowler.

Means and Charles Harris are expected to be the second-string defensive ends for the Falcons this season, Matthew Tabeek of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old has been with the Falcons nearly two years now, but his anticipated role for this upcoming season is perhaps involved as ever, as he hopes to build on a career-high 15 percent defensive snap share from 2018. Means was unable to suit up for a single game last season because of a ruptured Achilles suffered during offseason workouts, but now it appears that he is well on his way towards earning a backup position along the Falcons' defensive line for 2020.