Falcons First-Round S Keanu Neal Out 3-4 Weeks Following Knee Surgery

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Falcons first-round S Keanu Neal is expected to to be out 3-4 weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

• Ian Rapoport adds that doctors determined that the damage to Neal’s knee did not involve his ligaments, and will likely require a meniscus trim and cartilage cleanup.

Schefter included the following statement regarding Neal:

“Keanu Neal suffered a minor knee injury in the first quarter of last night’s game. Following an MRI this morning, it was determined he will need to have a minor procedure done, which will cause him to be out three to four weeks. He will have the scope done on Monday and we expect a full recovery.”

Neal reportedly told teammates after the game that he didn’t think his injury was all that serious and he should be good to go for the start of the season. However, it appears as though the injury was worse than he had hoped.

Neal, 22, was taken with the No. 17 overall pick by the Falcons last Thursday and should have a good shot at securing a starting role this summer.

According to OverTheCap.com, Neal receives a four-year contract worth $10,737,646 to go along with a signing bonus of $6,009,196.

During his three-year college career at Florida, Neal recorded 134 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, a forced fumble and five pass defenses.