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.

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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.

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