Atlanta Falcons lose safety Keanu Neal for the season with a torn ACL

By George Stockburger | Sep 7, 2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons sits on the ground after suffering an apparent injury during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 6, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

A major blow has hit the Atlanta Falcons after their season-opening loss to Philadelphia

Atlanta Falcons star safety Keanu Neal will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Neal went down twice during the Thursday night game in Philadelphia after the game was delayed over an hour due to rain. Atlanta dropped the game 18-12 after a lack of execution and lackluster playcalling in the redzone.

Head coach Dan Quinn sounded optimistic about the injury after the game, but said the MRI would unveil the final answer. Unfortunately, the answer is a lost season for the third-year safety out of Florida.

Atlanta saw several players go down during the season-opener, including Takk McKinley and Desmond Trufant. Both appeared to be dealing with cramps, and Trufant got an IV during the game.

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Jordan Richards, acquired from the Patriots in a trade last month, sits behind Neal on the depth chart. Rookie Ryan Neal, no relation to Keanu, is on the practice squad after playing college ball at Southern Illinois.

Luckily for Atlanta there are a plethora of safeties on the free agent market waiting for their opportunity.

Eric Reid highlights the list, but some have scoffed at his stance regarding former teammate Colin Kaepernick and protests during the National Anthem. Whether the Falcons feel that way or not is to be seen.

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Quintin Demps, T.J. Ward, and Tyvon Branch are three other notable veterans waiting for work as the season gets underway. Luckily for Atlanta they’ll have a couple extra days to identify someone and get them installed in Quinn’s defense before hosting the Panthers week two.