Shaquille Leonard: Wants new team, open to retirement
Rotowire
Leonard said he wishes to sign with a new team and play during the 2024 NFL season, but that he'd be at peace with calling it a career if no opportunity presents itself, Kyle Smeldy of the Indianapolis Star reports.
Leonard, a three-time All-Pro, posted 88 tackles in 14 regular-season games split between the Colts and Eagles in 2023, his comeback after a 2022 campaign plagued by injuries. Though he's remained a free agent throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamps, Leonard said he's staying in shape and waiting for an opportunity to sign, while leaving open the possibility of retirement. "If it happens, it happens," Leonard said. "If it don't, it don't. I think throughout my career I've had a great career, even if I do step away from it."
... See More... See Less
Eagles' Shaquille Leonard: Posts 88 tackles in comeback
Rotowire
Leonard bounced back from an injury-filled 2022 season to record 88 tackles in 14 regular-season games split between the Colts and Eagles.
Back issues limited Leonard to three games in 2022, but while he proved his health early in the year with the Colts, he was nonetheless cut in late November. He landed with the Eagles, where he played the last five games of the season. While the fact that he remained on the field was certainly encouraging, he was nowhere near the playmaker he was back in 2021, when he forced eight fumbles and recovered two more. Leonard didn't force nor recover a fumble this season, nor did he intercept a pass, and he finished with just 1.0 sacks.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Won't play vs. Tennessee
Rotowire
Leonard (groin) is listed as out for Sunday's game versus the Titans, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Leonard played on a pitch count in Week 4, and he'll now miss Indianapolis' game in Week 5 entirely as he works his way back from a groin injury. Segun Olubi may pick up a few snaps thanks to Leonard's absence.
Leonard recorded three total tackles in Sunday's 34-31 overtime loss to the Rams. He played on just 37 of the defense's 82 snaps as the Colts limited his workload while he works his way back from injury. "Once he's fully, 100 percent healthy, he'll start taking more snaps on third-down opportunities, he'll be relieved of his snap count and we'll go ahead and get back to our regular schedule," linebacker E.J. Speed told Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star, regarding Leonard's playing time.
Leonard appeared in only three games in 2022 due to a pair of surgeries on his neck and back. He also missed time in the preseason due to a concussion. Leonard's snap count has declined in each of the four games. His performance may be an issue, though head coach Shane Steichen said he's not currently dealing with an injury.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Solid showing in Week 3
Rotowire
Leonard recorded seven tackles (two solo) in Sunday's 22-19 overtime win at Baltimore.
Leonard actually saw fewer snaps Sunday than he did in Week 2 at Houston, but he improved his tackle total from that game to keep pace for his fifth career 100-tackle season. Teammate Zaire Franklin is emerging as one of the NFL's elite run-stoppers, but there should be enough tackles left over for Leonard to retain IDP value.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Eight tackles in season opener
Rotowire
Leonard had eight total tackles, including one for a loss, in Sunday's loss to Jacksonville.
Leonard returned after playing just three games last season due to a back injury and after missing time with a concussion during the preseason. He played on 60 of the defense's 70 snaps, so he wasn't limited in his return. He looked fully healthy and back to his 2021 form as a top tackler from the linebacker spot.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Set to play
Rotowire
Leonard (back) is expected to play in Saturday's opening preseason contest, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
The Pro Bowl linebacker has been brought along slowly throughout training camp to date, but it appears as if Leonard is finally past the back injury that eventually required surgery last season. Leonard and emerging linebacker Zaire Franklin quietly represent one of the better interior linebacker tandems in the NFL currently.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Still making progress
Rotowire
Leonard (back) is continuing to ramp up his activity during training camp, although he still isn't participating in 11-on-11 team drills, James Boyd of the Atheltic reports.
Leonard continues to be brought along slowly after recovering from back surgery last year. Although he's cleared to compete, the Colts are taking a gradual route in adding to his workload during camp. He's moved beyond just individual workouts and is competing in seven-on-seven drills, but he's still being limited beyond that.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Passes physical, not yet practicing
Rotowire
Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday that Leonard (back) passed his physical, but the linebacker remains without a timeline to gain clearance for full practices, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Leonard missed all of the 2021 campaign and only appeared in three games in 2022 before undergoing season-ending surgery on his back in November and then having a follow-up surgery in April. Indianapolis plans to be careful with the superstar linebacker and ease him back into practice slowly. The South Carolina State product collected All-Pro honors in each of his first four seasons in the NFL, but Leonard will need to prove he's fully recovered before he should be considered a cornerstone of the Colts defense again.
Leonard (neck/back) is scheduled to meet with a specialist Monday to determine whether he can play again in the 2022 season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The Colts placed Leonard on injured reserve with a back injury Saturday, but he will consult neck surgeon Dr. Robert Watkins on Monday to determine whether to be shut down for the 2022 season and focus on a 2023 return. Interim head coach Jeff Saturday said Wednesday that Leonard could not complete practice that day due to a new development in nerve-related issues stemming from his June surgery. The three-time All-Pro has just three appearances under his belt this year.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Sidelined Week 10 after setback
Rotowire
Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday said that Leonard (back/ankle) suffered a setback during practice Wednesday and won't be available for Sunday's game against the Raiders, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Leonard underwent ankle surgery this offseason and dealt with numerous injuries -- including a back issue -- that kept him out for all but one game over the first seven weeks of the season. The star middle linebacker was able to return Week 8 against Washington and subsequently played 58 defensive snaps over Indianapolis' past two games. However, with either the back or ankle issue having flared back up, Leonard is set to receive an MRI and will be sidelined for at least one more contest. Expect E.J. Speed to serve as Leonard's primary replacement Sunday in Las Vegas.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Set to play in Week 8
Rotowire
Leonard (back) will be active for Sunday's Week 8 contest versus the Commanders, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official website reports.
Leonard will return to the field for the first time since Week 4, but head coach Frank Reich said Friday that he will be "on a pitch count" in the contest. Regardless of the amount of snaps he plays, the 27-year-old is a welcomed addition to a defensive unit that has been very inconsistent this year. Leonard produced 122 tackles, eight pass deflections, four interceptions, eight forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over 16 games last season.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Practicing on limited basis
Rotowire
Leonard (concussion/nose/back) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game at Tennessee.
According to Coach Frank Reich, it's primarily Leonard's recovery from the surgery he underwent to repair a broken nose he suffered in Week 4 that's keeping him from returning in earnest at this point, James Boyd of The Athletic reports. The three-time All-Pro's participation in practice Wednesday, though limited, is a positive indication, but if he can't play in Week 7, Bobby Okereke and E.J. Speed will be asked to continue to hold down the fort at linebacker next to Zaire Franklin.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Lacks return timeline
Rotowire
Head coach Frank Reich said that Leonard (concussion/nose/back), who has been ruled out for the Colts' Week 6 game against the Jaguars, is without a timeline for returning to the lineup, James Boyd of The Athletic reports. "I think he's making progress on his concussion. It's all related because of the [nasal] surgery. We really haven't had to press the [concussion]."
Leonard's recovery from the concussion and a recent surgery to address a fractured nose appear to be the greater concerns for the linebacker at this point than his back, which kept him from playing in the Colts' first three games following offseason surgery. He sustained the concussion and broken nose in his season debut Week 4 and will now miss his second straight game as a result. Based on Reich's comments, the Colts seem content to take Leonard's status on a week-by-week basis, so he could have an outside shot at making it back on the field for an Oct. 23 matchup with the Titans if he demonstrates meaningful progress in his recovery over the next few days.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Won't play Week 6
Rotowire
Colts head coach Frank Reich said Leonard (concussion/nose/back) won't play Sunday against the Jaguars, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
The standout linebacker will be sidelined for the second straight contest due to the concussion and a fractured nose, with Reich adding that Leonard underwent surgery to address the latter injury, according to NFL.com. Leonard has suited up in just one of the Colts' first six games this season, after he previously missed the first three weeks while recovering from back surgery. Leonard hasn't practiced since suffering the head injury Oct. 2, so he may not be a lock to make it back in the lineup for the Colts' Week 7 game in Tennessee on Oct. 23.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Still uncertain for Sunday
Rotowire
Leonard (back) won't know if he'll play in Week 3 until after practice Thursday or Friday, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Leonard underwent back surgery in June and still hasn't fully recovered from the procedure. The Pro Bowl linebacker has shifted between a full and limited participant in practice over the past couple of weeks, but he still hasn't played this season. If he can suit up Week 3 against the Chiefs, it'd be a major boon for the Colts defense. However, if he were to miss another week, Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed will continue to see increased snaps on defense.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Ruled out for Week 2
Rotowire
Leonard (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Jaguars, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Leonard will be sidelined for a second straight week to start the season after undergoing back surgery in June. The superstar linebacker has shown positive progress in his rehab, but Indianapolis has remained cautious. In Leonard's absence, E.J. Speed, who finished Week 1 with seven tackles and a sack, is expected to garner another start Week 2.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Full participant Wednesday
Rotowire
Leonard (back) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice report.
Leonard logged a full practice Wednesday last week too before being limited Thursday and Friday. Per Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis, he's expected to have a similar routine this week. The All-Pro linebacker underwent back surgery in June, and despite positive progress, Indianapolis has remained cautious with its stud linebacker. If Leonard is sidelined for a second straight contest, E.J. Speed would likely draw another start.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Limited in practice
Rotowire
Leonard (back) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.
After logging a full practice session Wednesday, Leonard returned to the field Thursday in limited capacity. The All-Pro linebacker's Week 1 status has been up in the air throughout the summer, as he underwent back surgery in June and has since spent most of his time recovering. Leonard's return to practice is an encouraging sign, but Friday's session should provide more clarity regarding the 230-pounder's availability for Sunday's matchup against the Texans.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Full participant Wednesday
Rotowire
Leonard (back) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Leonard is expected to practice in full Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but he's still not a lock to play Week 1 against the Texans. Per Bowen, the Colts will wait to see how Leonard responds to the practices before determining his status, and it's possible the linebacker operates on a pitch count during Sunday's season opener.
