By Ross Jackson
Not all NFL careers get off to ideal starts. That will certainly be the story for New Orleans Saints fifth-round rookie wide receiver Bub Means.
Per the NFL’s transaction wire, Means’s practice window has expired. That means he will be headed back to Injured Reserve, thus ending his rookie season.
Means suffered an injury that limited him for the majority of training camp but eventually found his way back in time to make the active roster and take the field for seven of his first eight possible career games.
But during the Week 8 bout with the Los Angeles Chargers, Means suffered another injury that would eventually send him to Injured Reserve. It was an ankle injury that kept him out for the Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers before officially landing on Injured Reserve ahead of the bye week.
Means saw his 21-day practice window open just over three weeks ago before the team set out to compete with the New York Giants in Week 14.
Per interim head coach Darren Rizzi, Means suffered a setback upon his return. That setback is what led to his season coming to a premature end. Players get just a 21-day window to return from the injury list. If they cannot get back to the active roster in that timeframe, that player’s season is over.
Means will finish his rookie year with just nine receptions, 118 receiving yards and a touchdown catch.
