Without it, more teams would have made bigger financial commitments to him. Keanu Neal. Neal went down in the season opener. "First off, he's just a good person. "I just know how hard he's worked to get back from last year's [ACL]. Report Save. Close. Neal was a beast for the Atlanta Falcons in his first couple seasons in the league, collecting 106 tackles in his rookie year of 2016 and 113 tackles during his 2017 campaign. Details. It just sucks,'' cornerback Desmond Trufant said. Kemal Ishmael is the backup strong safety in Quinn's defense. He missed a majority of the 2018 season with a … For the second straight season, Falcons safety Keanu Neal‘s season has ended with a devastating injury. The Cowboys were able to sign him in part because of his injury history. Neal is a young option for teams that perhaps has fallen through the cracks. The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly signed former Pro Bowler and free-agent safety Keanu Neal to a one-year, $5 million deal in 2021. Neal is believed to have torn his Achilles during the team’s loss to the Colts earlier today, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).. Entry: 2016 Draft, Round 1, #17 overall (Falcons) 2021 Salary Cap Charge: $2,000,000 (0.96% of cap) 2021 Cash Payout: $4,000,000 (1.65% of spending) 2021 Cash to Cap Ratio: 2.00. It's a long life. The Falcons are in a bit of a weird place at the safety position, with several strong veteran starters in place but significant injury concerns surrounding both Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen. “Neal is a bonafide heat-seeking missile against the run.” Injury history. NFL. The injury is significant not only because Neal is viewed as an enforcer playing the in-the-box safety, but also because Neal suffered a season-ending ACL tear last season. role, Source: Reed's refusal to restructure led to exit, Falcons set to play game in London this season, Hilton: Gave up a lot of money to return to Colts, Rivera on WFT QBs: 'There will be a competition', NFL rule changes may include more video review, Meet the 5-foot-7 running back on a mission to play in NFL: 'Don't bet against Jaret Patterson', San Francisco 49ers pros and cons for keeping Jimmy Garoppolo another year, Why Will Fuller will open up Miami Dolphins' offense for Tua Tagovailoa. #Falcons Keanu Neal (22) FLYING to the ball is so damn fun to watch. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter was the first to break the news about the Keanu Neal injury. He logged six solo tackles in Atlanta’s wild Week 2 loss to Dallas. Larry Allen 3 days ago. Falcons safety Neal ruled out with Achilles injury, GM: Brady progressing 'very well' from surgery, Spanos' sister asks court to force Chargers sale, Prepped? He was the second safety selected in 2016 behind West Virginia's Karl Joseph (12th overall). share. share. Well, that was until Falcons safety Keanu Neal hit him hard and jarred the ball loose. The Falcons also lost running back Ito Smith for the rest of Sunday's game with a concussion. Report Save. Keanu Neal on returning from injuries: 'I feel like myself again'. 15 yard penalty. League. Safety Keanu Neal played for Cowboys coordinator Dan Quinn in Atlanta and had three 100-tackle seasons, while making the Pro Bowl in 2017. We begin with a player who would already have a contract extension from the Falcons if not for two horrific season-ending injuries. Keanu Neal was a part of that legendary draft class that helped the Falcons go from an 8-8 team to the Super Bowl. He was with me last year; I was with him last year. Via Twitter: Big blow: Falcons S Keanu Neal tore his ACL and is out for the season, per source. Falcons DB Keanu Neal out for season with knee injury The Atlanta Falcons have played just one game in 2018, and already they have suffered a significant casualty on the defensive side of the ball. Prior to these injuries, Neal was a force for Dan Quinn in Atlanta. Post-free-agency NFL Power Rankings: Which offseason moves will pay off the most? Neal buckled his left knee during preseason action and it cost him the first 2 games of the regular season. Keanu Neal (42) DB - 2015: Played in 12 games and started 11 times at safety…Missed the first two games due to injury…Finished third on the team with 96 total tackles, The Atlanta Falcons selected Neal in the first round (17th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. Covered Bears for seven seasons at Chicago Tribune, Also worked at Chicago Sun-Times, Fresno Bee, Honorable mention, Football Writers Association of America for enterprise writing, 2002. Keanu Neal is as productive as anyone when on the field for the Atlanta Falcons, but his recent injury history indicates that it's time to let him go. © 2021 Sportsinjurypredictor.com - Latest NFL Injury News and Analysis | Website by: Injury analysis provided by Dr. Jesse Morse, sports physician and consultant, Detailed doctor’s “Injury analysis” for all fantasy relevant players with a 2021 injury risk, Video breakdowns analyzing performance and injury risk of top 70 fantasy relevant players (provided by Mike Valverde), Consensus player rankings that include injury factors, Scientific prediction of likelihood of injury & weeks missed for each player, Neal tore his left Achilles' tendon against the Colts and ruled out for the rest of the season. Reply. He fell to the ground in pain and appeared to be in tears as the medical team brought out the cart for him. Even if Neal ends up actually playing safety for the team (he will probably play mostly WLB) the 25-year old has a concerningly long injury history and was only signed on a one-year deal. Falcons safety Keanu Neal, who missed 13 games last season after suffering a torn Achilles heel, gave an update on his recovery Thursday. "He understands the grind, man. Neal was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, and Reed had to go to the locker room as a result of the play. NFL officials have had their issues this season, and they just penalized a guy who appears to have suffered a major injury. All we can do is pray for him and leave it out there on the field for him. Overview: The hard-hitting former safety is an instinctive defender with the size and explosiveness to be a problem near the line of scrimmage as a hybrid playmaker. level 2. Got to keep that mind right," he said. Pedal Achilles Tear Grade 3. Reply. Sep 22, 2019. Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal suffered a torn Achilles tendon Sunday that will end his season, coach Dan Quinn announced Monday. INDIANAPOLIS -- Atlanta Falcons starting free safety Keanu Neal was carted off the field near the end of the first half and ruled out for the remainder of the 27-24 loss to the Colts with an Achilles injury. Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal suffered a season-ending injury for the second consecutive year after tearing his left Achilles against the Colts Sunday night. Weight: 211. Keanu Neal Injury History. Rodgers tried to 'crush' 'Jeopardy!' Neal started 14 games in 2020, recording 100 combined stops, nine tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and one INT. Height: 6-0. His teammates consoled him before he exited the field. We understand what it takes to get back. Date. Much like Hooker, Neal’s value will likely be down due to an injury history that includes a torn Achilles — especially in an offseason where teams will be looking to either save money or offer short-term contracts. We understand what this job [takes a toll] on the body. There are a few red flags on Neal, name his injury history. Link The Dallas Cowboys added Keanu Neal to their roster last week as an upgrade to the linebacker and safety positions. Neal reminds me a little bit of Bob Sanders. It's hard when you see something like that. Posted by 3 days ago. Neal tore his left Achilles' tendon against the Colts and ruled out for the rest of the season. Neal … Judging by his reaction, you can … William Purnell/Icon Sportswire ... Neal has an aggressive injury history and would be a progress-stopper for Wilson. Neal suffered the injury with 20 seconds left before halftime while in coverage in the end zone. 3 3 33. Contract Value: $4,000,000 ($4,000,000 APY) Fully Guaranteed Money: $3,000,000. Steer wrestling and kneecaps: Lions' Campbell a different kind of 'Dude', Watch out for Tom Brady -- and the entire internet -- on April Fools' Day, Most impactful moves and 2021 offseason goals for all 32 NFL teams. Even though Neal will only be 26-years old at the start of the 2021 season, the biggest question regarding him is his injury history. Injury. Neal suffered the injury with 20 seconds left before halftime while in coverage in the end zone. '', Free safety Ricardo Allen, who suffered a season-ending Achilles tear last year, said Neal's injury "didn't look good.". Keanu Neal. Falcons coach Dan Quinn did not immediately comment on whether Neal tore his Achilles. Neal was spotted exiting the stadium on crutches, with his left foot in a boot. Neal enters his sixth season with 338 total stops, 15 tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed, two interceptions, and eight forced fumbles in 49 career games (48 starts). Neal was spotted exiting the stadium on crutches, with his left foot in a boot. Falcons safety Keanu Neal left Sunday’s game against the Colts in the second quarter with an apparent leg injury. College: Florida. He underwent surgery on September 18. Neal’s injury history is well documented, as he missed nearly all of 2018 with a torn ACL and 2019 with a torn Achilles tendon. Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal, who is scheduled to become a free agent, should be on the Jaguars’ radar. Even with his injury history, he's expected to … He's just got to keep being a believer, keep being strong and don't let it bring him down, man. 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