Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons safety Keanu Neal out with Achilles injury

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 22: Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons is helped off the field during the second quarter in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Credit: Justin Casterline

Credit: Justin Casterline

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 22: Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons is helped off the field during the second quarter in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
By
Sept 22, 2019

The Falcons suffered a major blow to their defense when safety Keanu Neal went down with an Achilles injury late in the second quarter of their game against the Colts on Sunday.

Neal suffered a season-ending left knee injury in the season-opener last season.

He was declared out of the game after having to be helped off the field.  Neal was visibly upset while being tended to on the field.

Last season, free safety Ricardo Allen suffered a torn Achilles in the third game and missed the rest of the season.

Also, running back Ito Smith left the game with a concussion and did not return and defensive end Takk McKinley left the game with a knee injury in the third quarter. His return was questionable.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in New Orleans. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins climbs the charts while trying to get some wins

Cousins is fourth on the active players list for touchdown passes at 291, behind Aaron Rodgers (522), Matthew Stafford (409) and Russell Wilson (353).

24m ago

Dirty Birds Dispatch: Inching toward a historic losing stretch

This week's Dirty Birds Dispatch newsletter, eyes on the Seahawks coming to town on Sunday.

Falcons’ Drake London still not recovered enough to practice

Drake London, the Falcons’ leading receiver, did not play Sunday against the Jets and is considered day-to-day for the game against the Seahawks Sunday.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in New Orleans. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins climbs the charts while trying to get some wins

24m ago

Dirty Birds Dispatch: Inching toward a historic losing stretch

Falcons’ second-year defensive tackles Orhorhoro and Dorlus coming on

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta opens door on first modular rapid-housing for homeless residents

The first-of-its-kind development, Waterworks Village, overlooks the nearby reservoir. It's part of Mayor Andre Dickens' initiative to build 500 units of for the unhoused.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Local GOP sees ‘danger’ in a chaotic race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

Republican leaders in Georgia's 14th Congressional District worry a crowded field in a special election could give Democrats a chance to win.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Two centennials, one story: Delta and the Atlanta airport

Delta Air Lines and Hartsfield-Jackson both turn 100 this year, and you can’t tell the story of one without the other.