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Keanu Neal needs surgery on knee, out 3-4 weeks

Dallas Cowboys should target Keanu Neal
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons rookie safety Keanu Neal won’t be in the lineup to start the season after injuring his knee during Thursday’s preseason game.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who shared an official release, he’s going to be out three to four weeks and will require minor surgery after an MRI determined it was necessary.

Thankfully it’s a short-term issue, which should minimize the blow to Neal’s development as a rookie and to the team’s defense as a whole.

Drafted in the first round this April (No. 17 overall), Neal was highly thought of coming out of Florida, where he played three years. A big safety with speed and athleticism, he brings a diverse skill set that should serve him well both in the box and on the back end in the years to come.

While Neal is sidelined, Atlanta’s secondary will have to lean on Kemal Ishmael, who has 15 starts under his belt the past three years.

If Neal’s three to four week timeline holds true, he could be available to play potentially in Week 2 or Week 3 when the Falcons hit the road to face either the Oakland Raiders or New Orleans Saints.

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