Keanu Neal - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Hangs it up Neal (ribs) announced via social media Sunday that he is retiring from the NFL, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Neal last played in 2023 with the Steelers before he sustained a season-ending rib injury, which led the team to release him with a failed physical designation in March of 2024. The 2016 first-round pick played his first five years with the Falcons and was a Pro Bowler in 2017. He then missed almost the entire 2018 and 2019 campaigns before spending one last season in Atlanta, and he went on to play one year in Dallas and one in Tampa Bay before ending up with the Steelers. Neal finishes his eight-year career with 523 tackles, four interceptions and eight forced fumbles.

FEBRUARY 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers Release DB Keanu Neal The Pittsburgh Steelers continue releasing veterans from their roster.

MARCH 7, 2024 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Steelers Release DB Keanu Neal The Pittsburgh Steelers continue releasing veterans from their roster.

MARCH 7, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Steelers release veteran safety Keanu Neal after failing a physical

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released safety Keanu Neal after he failed a physical with the team

MARCH 7, 2024 • Associated Press

Steelers release Neal The Steelers released safety Keanu Neal

MARCH 7, 2024 • STEELERS.COM

Lands on IR Neal (ribs) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Impact The veteran safety was held out of practice all week after suffering a ribs injury during the Steelers' Week 10 win over the Packers, and he'll be forced to miss the team's next four games after going on IR. Neal was able to record 50 total tackles, two pass deflections and one interception in the nine games before his injury. Damontae Kazee is expected to start at strong safety until Neal can return to the field.

NOVEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers Place DB Keanu Neal on IR The Pittsburgh Steelers are shutting down safety Keanu Neal.

NOVEMBER 18, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) to miss third straight game

The Steelers will be without starting safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal for their game at Cleveland on Sunday.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) to miss third straight game

Sits out practice Wednesday Neal did not participate in practice Wednesday due to a rib injury.

Impact Neal tallied a season-high eight tackles along with his first interception of the season when he caught a tipped pass during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 23-19 win against Green Bay. However, he apparently came down on the ball awkwardly while being tackled on the play and had to be attended by members of Pittsburgh's training staff, according to Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com. While Neal never received an official injury designation in-game and said he would be "OK" postgame, it appears this injury kept him sidelined for the Steelers' first practice session Week 11. The starting strong safety will now have two more sessions to improve his status before Sunday's divisional matchup at Cleveland.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

What Keanu Neal's versatility means for an evolving Steelers defense Pittsburgh's defense will feature at least five new starters, and Neal's versatility places him in a position to be one of them.

MAY 31, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Steelers sign S Keanu Neal, NT Breiden Fehoko The Pittsburgh Steelers announced the signings of safety Keanu Neal and three other players on Tuesday.

APRIL 4, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

PHOTOS: Steelers sign Keanu Neal Steelers signed S Keanu Neal on a two-year contract

APRIL 4, 2023 • STEELERS.COM

Steelers NFL Draft Plans Included Keanu Neal Before He Signed What changes for the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing Keanu Neal? Nothing.

MARCH 31, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Won't play against Tampa Bay Neal (hip) has been ruled inactive prior to Monday's wild-card game against the Buccaneers.

Impact Neal sustained a hip injury during the regular-season finale against Atlanta. While he was able to practice in full during each session heading into the playoffs, the 27-year-old won't be able to suit up for this home postseason contest. As a result, Logan Ryan will serve as the Buccaneers' only available safety behind starters Antoine Winfield and Mike Edwards.

JANUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to play vs. Dallas Neal (hip) is listed as questionable for Monday's game versus the Cowboys.

Impact Neal was a full participant at practice Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so it would be surprising if he was absent from the wild-card round. If active, he'll probably rotate in at safety behind Antoine Winfield and Mike Edwards on Monday.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Full participant Thursday Neal (hip) was a full participant during practice Thursday.

Impact Neal exited with a hip injury during the regular-season finale against Atlanta. It's unclear if the 27-year-old ever returned to this contest, though it doesn't appear this issue will limit him heading into the start of the playoffs. Neal has served a rotational role at safety for the Buccaneers this season, and he'll likely reprise this spot behind Antoine Winfield and Mike Edwards during Monday's wild-card matchup against the Cowboys.

JANUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with injury Sunday Neal (hip) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Impact Neal picked up a hip injury at some point during Sunday's regular-season finale, though the nature and severity of this issue are unclear. With Mike Edwards (hamstring) and Logan Ryan (knee) both already inactive, it's unclear who will step in alongside starting strong safety Antoine Winfield for the time being.

JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Keanu Neal's INT on McSorley's Hail Mary attempt sends Bucs-Cards into OT Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Keanu Neal's INT on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley's Hail Mary attempt sends Buccaneers-Cardinals...

DECEMBER 26, 2022 • NFL.COM

Keanu Neal Pulls in INT on Hail Mary - Sends Game to OT | Bucs vs. Cardinals Highlights S Keanu Neal grabs an interception against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16.

DECEMBER 26, 2022 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Good to go for Week 16 Neal (toe) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Neal was considered questionable due to a toe injury that sidelined him for most of Week 16 prep, but the veteran defensive back will ultimately be active. Antoine Winfield (ankle) and Mike Edwards (hamstring) are also available after being listed as questionable, so Tampa Bay's secondary will be close to full strength.

DECEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable with toe injury Neal is questionable for Sunday's matchup against Arizona due to a toe injury.

Impact Neal didn't practice Wednesday due to the toe injury but logged limited sessions Thursday and Friday. Antoine Winfield (ankle) and Mike Edwards (hamstring) are also questionable, so it's currently unclear who'll start at safety for Tampa Bay on Sunday.

DECEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs aim to hold off Panthers, Falcons, Saints in NFC South

There’s no surefire fix for what’s ailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DECEMBER 20, 2022 • Associated Press

Keanu Neal on Penalties in Loss to Bengals | Postgame Press Conference Safety Keanu Neal spoke to the media on Sunday following the Week 15 matchup vs. the Bengals.

DECEMBER 19, 2022 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Solid performance in Week 14 Neal totaled six tackles (three solo), including one for loss, during the Buccaneers' 35-7 loss to the 49ers in Week 14.

Impact Neal finished third on the team in tackles while once again drawing a start in Mike Edwards' (hamstring) second straight absence. Neal has logged between 55 and 74 snaps in five of his last six contests, totaling between five and 10 tackles in those contests. Neal would be set for yet another run with the first unit if Edwards remains out for Sunday's interconference home showdown against the Bengals.

DECEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Huge pass breakup in win Neal recorded five solo tackles and a pass defended in Monday's 17-16 win against the Saints.

Impact Neal once again stepped up for injured starting safety Antoine Winfield (concussion). While he only finished with a pedestrian five tackles, the 27-year-old flew in to break up a would-be third-down conversion on a pass to Taysom Hill. The Saints' ensuing punt allowed just enough time for quarterback Tom Brady to lead Tampa Bay's offense on a 63-yard game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. Neal has now logged 51 tackles, a half-sack and two passes defended over his first 12 games with the Buccaneers. He could stand to see prominent usage again if Winfield remains out against San Francisco in Week 14.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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Steelers release veteran safety Keanu Neal after failing a physical

Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) to miss third straight game

Bucs aim to hold off Panthers, Falcons, Saints in NFC South