We have not heard much regarding Keanu Neal’s health in a while, but a lot of the time, no news is good news. In an article from the Falcons’ Kelsey Conway, she sat down with Dan Quinn, and he revealed that Neal is precisely where he should be in the rehab process to return next season.
“Keke is doing good,” Quinn said. “He’s exactly where he should be. We’re excited for him, he’s making great progress.”
After tearing an ACL in 2018, Neal returned to 100% but tore his Achilles in week 3. He is still 24 years old and had been one of the most promising young players on the defense, but it is yet to be determined whether these two significant injuries will limit his abilities going forward.
The good news is that safety is by far the deepest unit they have on defense, and it appears Neal should have the luxury of returning to more of a rotation next season after a failed stint of trying Demontae Kazee at cornerback:
“Those are really things we’ll make sure we’re doing a very good job featuring the guys in the things they do best. Having more than enough good players is way better than the alternative. Between myself, Raheem and Jeff Ulbrich, we’ll have more than enough ways to feature them.”
While depth is an issue across the defense, it will be a luxury having three starting-caliber safeties as the Falcons ease Neal back into play. If he is not the same guy going forward, at least they have a serviceable duo with the ballhawk Kazee and the veteran Ricardo Allen. The Falcons will have a decision to make on Neal next offseason as his contract comes to an end.
You must log in to post a comment.