FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal knew he faced a tough task after tearing his Achilles’ tendon in the third week of the 2019 season.
Neal had missed 15 games the year before with a torn knee ligament, so the heel injury meant he would face another long road back to the field.
“Just getting hurt again and not being with the guys – that was the hardest part for me,” he said Thursday. “You put in so much work to get back, and then the season gets taken away from you again. That was by far the hardest part, not being able to play with the guys and be out there with the team and contribute the way I can.”
The most recent time Neal played a full season, in 2017, he made the Pro Bowl. Atlanta coach Dan Quinn believes Neal, drafted 17th overall out of Florida in 2016, is as good as new.
Not only has Neal dropped 12 pounds to get to 212, the same weight he had as a rookie, Quinn said he also has the same quickness he had in his rookie season. The Falcons hope Neal can return to his productive ways. He racked up a combined 222 tackles, 15 pass breakups, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his two full seasons.