KEANU NEAL NEWS

Looking like GTD Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that the status of Neal (chest) will "come down to the wire" for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Neal is dealing with a biceps strain, per McCarthy, though he was also listed with chest and elbow injuries earlier in the week. He was limited Wednesday, then missed practice entirely Thursday. Luke Gifford and Francis Bernard would be candidates for increased work if Neal can't go, but a final word on the status of Dallas' linebacker corps may not be disclosed until just before Sunday's wild-card matchup kicks off.

JANUARY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

DNP on Thursday Neal (chest/elbow) did not participate at Thursday's practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact The linebacker was a limited participant for Wednesday's non-padded work, but he was unavailable for Thursday's regular practice. With the step back in participation, Neal's ability to play Sunday against the 49ers comes into greater question. His status at the Cowboys' practice Friday is worth monitoring and if he can't go for this weekend's wild-card matchup, Luke Gifford and Francis Bernard could be asked to play larger roles at linebacker.

JANUARY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited practice Wednesday Neal (chest/elbow) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Impact Neal left the Cowboys' Week 18 win over the Eagles early with an arm injury, which is now understood to be both an elbow and chest injury. The linebacker's ability to practice in any capacity Wednesday bodes well for his chances to suit up for Sunday's wild-card contest versus the 49ers, though his status is worth monitoring in the coming days.

JANUARY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Neal (arm) is questionable to return Saturday against the Eagles, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Impact Neal was playing with his left arm heavily wrapped, but he has exited the game and went to the locker room. The Cowboys' linebacker depth was thin going into the game and will be even thinner if Neal can not return. Leighton Vander Esch and Luke Gifford are the only healthy linebackers left in the game for the Cowboys.

JANUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Activated off reserve/COVID-19 list Neal was activated off of the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Impact The linebacker was inactive in Week 17 after testing positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 31, but he returned to the team Wednesday ahead of their regular season finale against the Eagles on Saturday. Neal's return could prove crucial for the Cowboys in Week 18 as fellow linebackers, Micah Parsons (illness) and Francis Bernard (illness) have been placed on the COVID list.

JANUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tests positive for COVID-19 The Cowboys placed Neal (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact Neal's placement on the COVID-19 list is the result of a positive test, marking the second time that he's tested positive for the virus this season. He's unvaccinated and therefore ineligible to play in Sunday's game against the Cardinals, as he must first complete a mandatory five-day quarantine before he can be activated (if asymptomatic). Luke Gifford could see an uptick in playing time in Neal's stead.

DECEMBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Seven tackles in win Neal totaled seven tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 21-6 win over the Giants.

Impact After relatively limited production early in the season, Neal has been an effective tackler for the Cowboys recently and tied for the team lead in the category Sunday. He now has at least five tackles in six of the last seven games and has recorded 45 tackles (25 solo) and a sack during that time.

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Replay Wipes Away Keanu Neal's Unreal Recovery Replay wipes away Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keanu Neal's UNREAL diving effort on a could-be fumble recovery.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Replay wipes away Keanu Neal's UNREAL diving effort on could-be fumble recovery Replay wipes away Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keanu Neal's UNREAL diving effort on a could-be fumble recovery.

NOVEMBER 25, 2021 • NFL.COM

Keanu Neal: Quick Week After an impressive performance by the defense last Sunday, linebacker Keanu Neal said the group had to turn the page quickly this week and...

NOVEMBER 25, 2021 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Season-high stops Neal had seven tackles (five solo) during Sunday's 19-9 loss to the Chiefs.

Impact Neal played 100 percent of defensive snaps for the first time all season versus Kansas City, so it's unsurprising that he also managed his highest tackle total of the year. Now that he's evidently back to handling an every-down workload, Neal could be in the mix for fantasy consideration against the Raiders on Thanksgiving Day.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys' Quinn focused on fixing things, not Falcons reunion

Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn says he's focused on fixing things with his team rather than a reunion with the Atlanta Falcons

NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Keanu Neal: Playing For DQ Linebacker Keanu Neal discusses his experiences playing for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn previously in Atlanta and now in Dallas, and wha...

NOVEMBER 3, 2021 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Keanu Neal Postgame Week 5 ' #NYGvsDAL Linebacker Keanu Neal shares his thoughts following a 44-20 win over the New York Giants.

OCTOBER 11, 2021 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Packers hopeful Alexander can avoid season-ending surgery

The Green Bay Packers are hoping 2020 Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander’s injured shoulder will heal on its own rather than needing season-ending surgery

OCTOBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LB Jaylon Smith joins Packers one day after Cowboys drop him

Jaylon Smith has joined the Green Bay Packers one day after the Dallas Cowboys released the veteran linebacker

OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Keanu Neal: Excited To Get Back Linebacker Keanu Neal talks about his return from a two-game absence on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and the defense's progress through four ga...

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Cowboys vague on LB Smith's release as players move forward

The Dallas Cowboys are moving on from linebacker Jaylon Smith without getting into the specifics of the decision to release their leading returning tackler four games into 2021

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Activated off COVID-19 list The Cowboys activated Neal (illness) off the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Impact As expected, Neal has returned to the team and will practice Wednesday after missing the previous two games due to COVID-19 protocols. The 26-year-old linebacker played 98 defensive snaps and recorded nine tackles over the first two games of the season, but it's unclear if he will garner a full workload immediately.

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys Get Good News on Keanu Neal Update The Dallas Cowboys have rattled off three straight wins despite a growing injury report. Fortunately, the team received some great news on K...

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Returns to practice Neal (illness) will return to practice Wednesday, Jori Epstein of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Neal has missed the last two games after he tested positive for COVID-19, but he's expected to return for Sunday's matchup against the Giants. He'll to be limited in Wednesday's practice and will be monitored to determine his status. If the linebacker is back in action against the Giants, he should reclaim his starting role.

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys cutting LB Jaylon Smith with looming $9.2M guarantee

The Dallas Cowboys are releasing linebacker Jaylon Smith in what could be considered a cost-cutting move because of a guaranteed salary next season in the case of an injury

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS