Falcons safety Keanu Neal left Sunday's game against the Colts in the second quarter with an apparent leg injury.
He was later ruled out for the remainder of the game with an Achilles injury.
Keanu Neal has suffered an Achilles injury and will not return.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 22, 2019
Ito Smith will not return with a concussion. #ATLvsIND
According to NFL Media, which cited an unidentified source, Neal is believed to have torn his Achilles and could have surgery this week after an MRI exam confirms the severity of the injury.
#Falcons S Keanu Neal is believed to have torn his Achilles in today’s game, source said. When the MRI confirms, he’ll have surgery this week and should be good to go well before the 2020 season. Another bad-luck injury for Neal, but he’s battled back before.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 22, 2019
Neal went down in the end zone and was in obvious pain after a play. After being tended to on the field, he left on a cart.
To add insult to injury, Neal was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for tossing his helmet away as he realized the extent of his injury.
Keanu Neal. Wow.
— John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 22, 2019
AND....they gave him a penalty for throwing his helmet after getting hurt. I’m not sure if I agree with that, and I’m not a huge Falcons fan or anything. What a shitty job by the refs. Pick up the flag there.
I seriously feel bad for that kid. pic.twitter.com/gTkyzPgHH7
Neal, of course, missed the final 15 games of last season after tearing his ACL in the season opener.
When healthy, the Falcons' 2016 first-round pick has played well, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2017.