ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 04: A detail shot of the helmet of Mason Cole #61 of the Pittsburgh Steelers before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released a veteran defensive back and former first-round pick ahead of free agency.

On Thursday, the Steelers announced that they have released safety Keanu Neal after the veteran failed a physical. Neal will now head to free agency, which will open next Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. EST.

The 28-year-old Neal appeared in nine games (eight starts) for the Steelers last season, recording one interception, two pass defenses, one fumble recovery and 50 combined tackles.

The Florida product was drafted in the first round (17th overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. After leading the club to a surprise trip to Super Bowl 51 in his rookie year, Neal earned his lone career Pro Bowl nod in 2017.

That year, Neal had one interception, six pass defenses, three forced fumbles, to fumble recoveries and 116 combined tackles.

Unfortunately, Neal suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the Falcons’ Week 1 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. A year later, he suited up for three games before suffering a torn Achilles that ended his season.

After a five-year stint in Atlanta, Neal joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2021. He appeared in 14 games there and helped Dallas to the NFC East division crown. In 2022, he returned to the NFC South after signing a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For his career, Neal has four interceptions, 22 pass defenses and eight forced fumbles.