FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. _ Falcons safety Keanu Neal, a first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2016 draft, is set to have knee surgery and will miss three to four weeks, according to the team.
Neal had an MRI on Friday, and it was determined that he will need minor surgery.
He will have the arthroscopic surgery done Monday, and the team expects a full recovery.
Quinn gave an update on Neal's knee injury to a reporter from NBC at halftime Thursday and said he thought it was "not a significant knee injury at this point."
Neal, the team's first-round draft choice and projected starter at strong safety, suffered a right knee injury late in the first quarter against Miami.
His return to the game initially was announced as "questionable" by the team. He later was declared "out" of the game.
Rookie Damian Parms took over at safety for Neal, who had amassed five tackles.
Strong safety Kemal Ishmael, who's listed as the No. 2 player behind Neal, was out with a shoulder injury. He's expected back to practice soon and could end up with the starting job.
Neal was trying to cover Miami running back Arian Foster when he went to the grass after a move by Foster. Neal tried to walk off the field, but waited for the trainers. He appeared to be under his own power when he walked off the field.
Neal's injury is a serious blow to the Falcons' rebuilding efforts on defense.
Last season's starting strong safety William Moore was released over the offseason and has yet to sign with another team.
