Atlanta Falcons’ Pro Bowl safety Keanu Neal hasn’t played much football in the past two years, having dealt with season-ending injuries in both 2018 and 2019. This year, however, it appears that Neal is finally healthy and ready to be an important piece in Falcons’ secondary once again.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Neal said that he’s feeling great and is returning to his previous self.
“Recently, I kind of told myself that I’m starting to get my groove back,” said Neal. “I’m starting to see things again. A play that I can be faster on. I saw that after the fact. Next time I get that, I can be there. It’s all coming back.”
Keanu Neal entered the NFL in 2016 as Falcons’ first-round pick and managed to compile 222 tackles, 14 pass deflections, one interception and eight forced fumbles in his first two seasons in the league. However, he was limited to one game in 2018 due to ACL injury and then managed to play three games the following year before being sidelined with ruptured Achilles tendon.
Neal is now focused on putting in the work to return to the field and will take it from there.
“I’m in this space. Everything happens for a reason,” he added. “Now, it’s just putting in the work and trusting in him. I don’t really stress about the mental side much.”
