Falcons safety Keanu Neal, who has recovered from left knee surgery, returned to practice in the OTAs on Thursday.

“It was good to have Keanu back in there on the field today,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “He’s really worked hard. I’m proud of him and the effort that he put forth.”

Neal is being eased back into full practice.

“Lots of individual work,” Quinn said. “Lots of group work as the calls are going. He’ll do that before practice and after practice. More of just the return to play. The purpose was to get back in the group, and then when you start training camp, it’s not for the first time.”

The rugged Neal suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in the season opener against the Eagles. He went down early in the game and went back in to try to play, but he couldn’t continue

“It’s going well,” Neal said recently. “It’s been a journey. I trust in the process. We are heading in the right direction.”

---

Subscribe to "The Bow Tie Chronicles" podcast with the AJC's D. Orlando Ledbetter on iTunes or on the new AJC sports podcasts page.

About the Author

Keep Reading

September 11, 2016 ATLANTA: Buccaneers tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins catches a touchdown pass past Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon for a 24-13 lead during the third quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton /ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Featured

State Rep. Matt Reeves, R-Duluth, introduces himself while attending an AAPI mental health event at Norcross High School on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray