Falcons sign DE Means, place S Neal on IR

Defensive end Steven Means signed with the Atlanta Falcons to fill the roster spot created when safety Keanu Neal was placed on injured reserve Monday.

Neal suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the Sept. 6 season opener at Philadelphia.

Means was one of the final players cut by the Philadelphia Eagles and could contribute to the defensive line rotation with the Falcons. A fifth-round pick in 2013, Means made previous stops with the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the Eagles.

Second-year pro-Damontae Kazee replaced Neal and figures to move into the starting lineup. Kazee opened eyes with a strong preseason and also delivered a big play in Thursday's game when his hit on Philadelphia tight end Dallas Goedert dislodged the ball and led to an interception by Deion Jones.

Neal was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017 and has played 31 games with the Falcons since he was a first-round pick in 2016.

Head coach Dan Quinn said Friday the Falcons would consider bringing in another safety, including free agent Eric Reid.