Means (knee) was designated to return from IR on Tuesday, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.

Means suffered the injury against the Saints on Nov. 7 and was placed on IR on Nov. 13. He now has a 21-day window to practice with the team before he has to be activated or he'll be forced to miss the rest of the season. The seven-year veteran's return would be a boost to the Falcons' defense. Means can return as soon as Sunday against his former squad, the Buccaneers.