Means (ankle) suffered a setback in his recovery from a Week 8 ankle injury and is not expected to return this season, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. The Saints haven't made the official designation and Means technically still has one more week to return until his 21-day activation window expires, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi's comments seem to indicate the rookie won't play the rest of the year. The rookie fifth-round pick emerged as a rotational option after injuries decimated New Orleans' wide receiver depth earlier in the year, and Means could profile as a depth piece for the team entering 2025.
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Status
IR-R - Ankle - Sprain Expected Return: 2024-12-29Latest Bub Means news
Team
New Orleans Saints
Birthdate
1/10/2001 (23)
Status
Injured Reserve - Designated for Return
HT/WT
6'2", 215 lbs
Draft Info
2024: Rd 5; Pk (NO)
Birthplace
Lovejoy, GA, USA
Position
WR
College
Pittsburgh
Career History
New Orleans Saints
2024-Present
(1 season)
Means (ankle) suffered a setback in his recovery from a Week 8 ankle injury and is not expected to return this season, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. The Saints haven't made the official designation and Means technically still has one more week to return until his 21-day activation window expires, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi's comments seem to indicate the rookie won't play the rest of the year. The rookie fifth-round pick emerged as a rotational option after injuries decimated New Orleans' wide receiver depth earlier in the year, and Means could profile as a depth piece for the team entering 2025.
Means (ankle) remained sidelined for Friday's practice, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports. Means hasn't played since Week 8 and was designated for return from injured reserve on Dec. 4, so the Saints have less than seven days before they need to make a decision on whether or not to activate the rookie wideout. The Saints go on the road for a Monday night matchup with the Packers this week.
Means (ankle) was listed as a DNP on Thursday's injury report. Means was designated to return from injured reserve Dec. 4, but he has either been a DNP or limited practice participant since. The rookie fifth-round pick would have to log multiple full practices in order to be activated off IR, and it doesn't appear likely that he'll be able to play against the Packers on Monday.
Means (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Commanders, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports. The 2024 fifth-round pick from Pittsburgh remains on injured reserve and downgraded from a limited practice session Wednesday to DNPs on Thursday and Friday, so it's no surprise he won't return in Week 15. Expect Dante Pettis to continue seeing an increased offensive role while Means remains sidelined Sunday.
Means did not participate in practice Thursday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. The wide receiver was downgraded after participating on a limited basis in Wednesday's session. Means remains on injured reserve and in the midst of his 21-day practice window to return to the active roster. His absence Thursday seems to suggest that he may not be available for Sunday's matchup with the Commanders.
Means (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports. Means is in the midst of his second week of practice since the Saints opened his 21-day evaluation window Dec. 4. The rookie wideout hasn't played since Week 8 with an ankle sprain, but if he's able to upgrade to full participation in practice by Friday, he could have a decent chance at getting cleared to suit up this Sunday against the Commanders. Through his first seven NFL games, Means produced a 9-118-1 receiving line on 15 targets.
Means (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. Means was placed on injured reserve Nov. 2 due to a high-ankle sprain that he picked up in Week 8 against the Chargers. His 21-day practice window to return from IR opened Wednesday, but after opening the week as a limited practice participant, he logged consecutive DNPs on Thursday and Friday. Means' next opportunity to play will be Week 15 against the Commanders on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Means (ankle) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice. Means was designated for return from injured reserve Wednesday and was a limited participant in his first practice since Week 8. While his downgrade to no activity Thursday could be more of a maintenance day rather than indicative of a setback, Means may not be on track to play Sunday against the Giants in any case. The Saints will hold their final Week 14 practice Friday and will then have until Saturday at 4 p.m. ET to activate Means from IR if they want to have him available for Sunday's contest.
Means (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports. This opens a 21-day window in which Means can practice without being placed on the active roster. He may have a large role once he's deemed healthy, having stepped in as a starter prior to suffering a high-ankle sprain Week 8. Rashid Shaheed suffered a season-ending knee injury around the same time, and Chris Olave later landed on injured reserve with a concussion. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kevin Austin have taken most of the WR snaps for New Orleans in recent weeks.