PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The Eagles have rewarded preseason, pass-rushing star Steven Means with a one-year contract extension.

The move foreshadows that Means will be the fifth defensive end on the 53-man roster beating out 2016 seventh-round pick Alex McCalister, the undersized but lengthy prospect who could be earmarked for the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Second-team All-Pro Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry have been the Eagles' starting defensive ends throughout the summer and they are capably backed up be veteran Chris Long and first-round pick Derek Barnett.

Means has been extremely productive in the preseason with 2 1/2 sacks, three tackles for loss and two pass deflections. He's also a solid special teams player which always helps with back-end roster decisions.

The Eagles originally signed Means off the Texans’ practice squad back in 2015.

In a lesser move at defensive end, Philadelphia claimed former Soul star Jake Metz off waivers from the Buffalo Bills.

Metz also suited up in the Eagles against the New York Jets in the fourth preseason game a year ago after helping lead the Philadelphia Soul win their first of back-to-back Arena League championships.

A native of Souderton Metz played his college football at Shippensburg.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

More From 97.3 ESPN