Falcons DE Steven Means placed on reserve/COVID-19 list

So far this offseason and preseason, we have seen a few Atlanta Falcons’ players placed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list. Since then, they’ve all returned and the team’s precautions have caused the positive cases to remain low within the organization.

Today, the Falcons announced that they’ve placed defensive end Steven Means on the reserve/COVID-19 list. This doesn’t necessarily mean Means has tested positive, as he could just be quarantined for possible contact with someone who may have the illness.

Due to league policy, NFL teams are not allowed to disclose whether or not a player has tested positive for COVID-19 or is just being quarantined. Teams are only allowed to comment on a player’s roster status, such as being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

With Means being added to the reserve/COVID-19 list, he now joins Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive tackle Ryan Pope as the only two NFL players currently on the list. Considering how many players are currently on rosters throughout the league, the NFL has done a tremendous job keeping the positive cases low.

On Friday, the Falcons wrapped up their third and final training camp scrimmage, and Means did not participate. He is competing for a roster spot along the defensive front, and the time he’s now going to miss is unfortunate. Means played in eight games for the Falcons in 2018 and then missed all of 2019 due to a season-ending Achilles injury sustained during the offseason.