VIDEO: Falcons DB Keanu Neal Carted Off in Tears Following Achilles Injury
By Michael Luciano
One of the key members of the Atlanta Falcons secondary suffered his second major injury in as many seasons. Falcons safety Keanu Neal had to leave Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts with an Achilles injury, which puts his availability for the rest of the season in serious doubt-- and he wore the pain of the moment on his face. It was hard to watch.
God damnit! Heart and soul of the Atlanta defense. Prayers up to @Keanu_Neal https://t.co/dtqkuVAuOj
— Vince Ocasio (@NPTrojan79) September 22, 2019
Neal was carted off the field, and the anguished look on his face said it all.
To make matters worse, the former Florida Gator already knows extended absences all to well. He suffered an ACL injury in Week 1 of the 2018 season.
Keanu Neal has suffered an Achilles injury and will not return.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 22, 2019
Ito Smith will not return with a concussion. #ATLvsIND
Neal's ability to play in the box as an extra linebacker and his skill at hanging deep in zone coverage is essential to Dan Quinn's defense. We saw last year how that unit can get sliced apart without Neal in the back to clean up the messes. The sincere hope is that this injury isn't a full Achilles rupture.