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Strong security for the Atlanta Falcons, Keanu Neal had a torn Achilles tendon Sunday that will end his season, a source told ESPN on Monday.
Neal was injured just before the half-time defeat against the Lions while he was running towards the end zone. He fell out of pain, threw off his helmet and was in tears when he was taken off the field. One of his teammates said that he had shouted, "My son, Achilles," after the injury. Neal was seen leaving Lucas Oil Stadium on crutches with his left foot.
Neal faces at least eight months of recovery after losing three games in the season. The 2016 first-round pick was torn by an ACL in the first week of last season and missed the rest of the 2018 campaign.
The absence of Neal means that the Falcons will be devoid of their defense official. It has earned the reputation of being a security at once impactful and able to stop the race. But Neal worked diligently to improve his hedging skills, and this showed.
Kemal Ishmael, a safety linebacker / hybrid linebacker, is considered the replacement of Neal in absolute security situation. Falcons seem likely to examine the options of free agents. They lost the safety of veterans J.J. Wilcox to a pre-season ACL injury. Falcons coach Dan Quinn has already mentioned considering linebacker Foye Oluokun as a great safety option when Neal sank last season.
Neal was expected to receive a long-term extension if he returned to good form after an ACL tear. The Falcons had already chosen their fifth year option for 2020.
Falcons' free safety Ricardo Allen, who tore his Achilles game three times last season, expressed his support for Neal.
"He understands the reason, dude, he was with me last year, I was with him," Allen said. "We understand what it takes to come back in. We understand what this work [and the toll] on the body. He just has to stay believing, stay strong and not let him down, man. It's a long life. I have to keep that right mind. & # 39; & # 39;
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