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 defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, here speaking to the media in January, has two 2025 first-round draft picks on his defense in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Falcons coordinator Jeff Ulbrich skilled in developing players, defenses

Over his career, Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has developed linebackers into stars, like Anthony Barr, Deion Jones, De’Vondre Campbell and Foye Oluokun

James Pearce Jr. seen as Falcons’ top DROY candidate

James Pearce Jr. is seen as the Falcons' top candidate for defensive rookie of the year.

Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. celebrated by his Florida hometown

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is celebrated in his hometown, Dade City, Florida, with a street named for him and a new football camp for youths.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, here speaking to the media in January, has two 2025 first-round draft picks on his defense in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Falcons coordinator Jeff Ulbrich skilled in developing players, defenses

James Pearce Jr. seen as Falcons’ top DROY candidate

Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. celebrated by his Florida hometown

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC

Brookhaven removes colored glass from City Centre dome after uproar

Some say the colors were too bright, the dome looked like ice cream with sprinkles and the hues distracted from the building’s muted design.

Confederate group sues to stop Stone Mountain’s ‘truth-telling’ exhibit

The Sons of Confederate Veterans allege the park’s changes to its Civil War history exhibits violate state law.

Georgia student going to court after being expelled for warning of threat

The middle school student was expelled after he sent messages to friends about a video he'd seen with someone threatening to shoot up area schools.