Veteran safety Keanu Neal (ribs) is being released with the designation of a failed physical by the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of 2024 free agency. The organization clears $2.25 million in cap space by cutting him. Neal, a former first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, posted 50 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one interception in nine games in his lone season with the Steelers. The 28-year-old was placed on Injured Reserve with a rib injury following the Week 10 game against the Green Bay Packers and did not play thereafter. He'll now head to free agency, where he could be joining his fourth team in four years. With former All-Pro safeties Kevin Byard, Eddie Jackson, Justin Simmons, Quandre Diggs, and Jamal Adams on the market, he could have a short list of teams interested after those players reach deals with new teams.
Free-agent safety Keanu Neal is signing with the Buccaneers. Neal played for the Falcons during the first five years of his career, a stint that included consecutive 100-tackle seasons and a 2017 Pro Bowl selection. He inked a deal with the Cowboys last offseason and converted to linebacker under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, his former head coach in Atlanta. However, Neal wasn't as productive at the position, finishing the 2021-22 campaign with 72 tackles and one sack across 14 games. Nonetheless, if the 26-year-old can stay healthy in Tampa Bay, he has the potential to deliver for IDP managers.
Dallas Cowboys free-agent and former first-rounder Keanu Neal, who played linebacker last year for the Cowboys, is switching back to safety as he looks to re-establish himself as one of the top players at the position. The 26-year-old had 72 tackles (44 solo), four tackles for loss and one sack in 14 games (five starts) last year in his first season playing linebacker. He was a Pro Bowler in 2017 with the Atlanta Falcons and has 100-plus tackles in three of his six seasons in the NFL. Neal has just two interceptions and two sacks in his career, but he could return to being fantasy relevant in IDP leagues with the move back to safety.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that linebacker Keanu Neal tested positive for COVID-19 and is out for Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. Neal is unvaccinated and was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday. The former safety has nine tackles (six solo) through the first two games (one start) of the season. Neal's absence hurts Dallas' linebacking depth heading into Monday night, but they also have Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch that can step up. Rookie Micah Parsons was moved to defensive end in the Week 2 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but he may shift back to linebacker now that Neal has been ruled out.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keanu Neal was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether Neal can get cleared in time to play in his team's Week 3 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, although they play on Monday night so he has an extra day. Neal did not test positive for the virus but was considered a high-risk contact, which also helps him in his attempt to clear the league's protocol by Monday. The veteran defender ranks sixth on Dallas with eight tackles, including one for a loss.
The Dallas Cowboys plan to move recently signed safety Keanu Neal to weakside linebacker in 2021, according to sources informed of the situation. Neal played five seasons at safety with the Atlanta Falcons. As a safety, he had a hard-hitting style and the ability to step up and stop the run, so he should transition nicely to linebacker. Neal will also reunite with Dan Quinn, who was the Falcons head coach during Neal's time there. He was a Pro Bowler in 2017 but missed all but four games from 2018-19 due to injuries. When healthy, Neal has had at least 100 tackles in each season he's played in at least 14 games. Leighton Vander Esch seems primed to serve as the middle linebacker, with Jaylon Smith potentially moving to the rushing role.
Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal's (Achilles) tests showed that he tore his Achilles in the Week 3 loss to the Colts, according to a source. He will miss the rest of the 2019 season. It's a tough blow for the 24-year-old, as he played in just one game in 2018 before suffering a season-ending injury. Atlanta's secondary will be more vulnerable the rest of the way, and they shouldn't be trusted as a fantasy unit going into Week 4 against the Titans.
Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal (knee) has been lifting weights with his teammates during the offseason program, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter. There is no timetable for his return from a torn ACL in his knee last year, but he is expected to be ready for Week 1. The Falcons also plan on picking up Neal's fifth-year option for the 2020 season. Neal has 220 tackles, eight forced fumbles, 14 pass breakups and an interception in 31 career games. A healthy return for Neal will be a considerable boost to an Atlanta defense that was really hurt by injuries to their key players in 2018.
Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal (knee) suffered a torn ACL in the Week 1 game against the Eagles on Thursday and is out for the year, according to a source. As ESPN's Adam Schefter notes, this is a huge blow for the Falcons secondary and defense overall, as Neal was one of their best overall playmakers. Not only was Thursday's loss a tough one to swallow, but this is salt in Atlanta's wounds. Neal was a top IDP safety and can now be dropped in single-year formats.
Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal (knee) injured his left knee in Week 1 on Thursday night and is questionable to return. His injury didn't look good, so we wouldn't expect him to return for the rest of this game. The 23-year-old has been great for the Falcons in his two seasons, racking up 100-plus tackles each year and also forcing eight fumbles (three recoveries) with one interception. Hopefully for his IDP owners, he'll be able to return in Week 2.
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