Falcons' Neal out for season after reportedly tearing ACL in opener

Atlanta Falcons starting strong safety Keanu Neal is out for the season, the team announced Friday.

He suffered a torn ACL during Thursday night's season opener versus the Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing a source.

Neal exited the game twice with a knee injury, one that head coach Dan Quinn said didn't appear to be serious. He was taken for a precautionary MRI on Friday morning when the full extent of the injury was revealed.

Neal, a 2016 first-round pick, established himself last year with 116 total tackles and three forced fumbles in a full 16-game campaign. Jordan Richards, whom the team acquired from the New England Patriots last week for a conditional draft pick, is the next man up on the depth chart.

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