Tag: Shaq Leonard

Oct 2, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard (53) looks to get around Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary (21) during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Colts LB Shaq Leonard has season-ending surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaq Leonard underwent successful season-ending back surgery Tuesday morning, NFL Network reported.

Leonard had the surgery after several evaluations, per the report. He was placed on injured reserve last Friday due to ongoing issues with his back. Leonard reportedly experienced a setback in practice Wednesday.

The three-time All-Pro selection, who formerly went by Darius Leonard, had back surgery in the offseason and had yet to fully recover. He played in just three games this season, starting one, and recorded 11 tackles and one interception.

His back trouble has caused nerve issues in his left leg, where he recently said a nerve “still isn’t firing.”

Leonard also suffered a concussion and a broken nose in Week 4 – his first appearance of the season – after colliding with a teammate. He missed three games before returning for the Colts’ Week 8 and 9 losses to the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, respectively.

The 2018 second-round draft pick has 549 career tackles, 15 sacks, 12 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries across 61 career games (59 starts).

–Field Level Media

Training staff tends to Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard (53) on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Reports: Colts LB Shaquille Leonard placed on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard was placed on injured reserve due to an ongoing back injury, multiple reports said Friday.

Leonard reportedly experienced a setback in practice Wednesday and it led to the Colts’ decision to place him on IR, where he must stay for at least the next four games.

The three-time All-Pro selection, who formerly went by Darius Leonard, had back surgery in the offseason and has yet to fully recover. He has played in just three games this year, starting one, and recorded 11 tackles and one interception.

His back trouble has caused nerve issues in his left leg, where he recently said a nerve “still isn’t firing.”

Leonard also suffered a concussion and a broken nose in Week 4 – his first appearance of the season – after colliding with a teammate. He missed three games before returning for the Colts’ Week 8 and 9 losses to the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, respectively.

The 2018 second-round draft pick has 549 career tackles, 15 sacks, 12 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries across 61 career games (59 starts).

The Colts (3-5-1) fired coach Frank Reich Monday and will play their first game under interim coach Jeff Saturday on Sunday against the host Las Vegas Raiders (2-6).

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts assistant athletic trainer Kyle Davis tends to linebacker Shaquille Leonard (53) after a play against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK

Colts LB Shaq Leonard (concussion) returns to practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard returned to practice Wednesday, albeit wearing a red non-contact jersey.

Leonard has been sidelined since suffering a concussion and injuring his nose in his Week 4 season debut against Tennessee.

Leonard has yet to play a full game in 2022. He had offseason back surgery that kept him out of the first three games.

Leonard, 27, made two tackles and played 16 snaps in the loss to the Titans before colliding with teammate Zaire Franklin in the second quarter. Leonard broke his nose in addition to sustaining a concussion and exited the game.

Colts coach Frank Reich said the nose injury was “significant” and required surgery.

It’s unclear if Leonard, who is still in the concussion protocol, will be ready to play this week. The Colts (3-2-1) host the Titans (3-2) in their second and final meeting of the regular season. Tennessee won the first matchup 24-17.

“A lot of discussion on that over the last 48 hours,” Reich told reporters. “How much time is he going to need? Is it going to take a week? Two weeks? We’re going to need to see that. That’s a collective ‘We are going to need to see that.’”

The three-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro has piled up 538 tackles and 15 sacks in 58 games over his first four seasons. He also has 17 forced fumbles and 11 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Training staff tends to Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard (53) on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts LB Shaq Leonard (concussion) ruled out for ‘TNF’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaq Leonard has been ruled out for the team’s Week 5 game Thursday night with a concussion.

Colts head coach Frank Reich added Monday that running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will continue to be monitored before making a determination on his availability to play against the Denver Broncos.

Leonard sustained the concussion in his season debut against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday after colliding with teammate Zaire Franklin in the second quarter. Leonard was bleeding from the head.

Members of the training staff escorted Leonard to the locker room for evaluation and he was later ruled out of the game.

Leonard, 27, missed the first three games after undergoing surgery for a back injury in the offseason. He had been dealing with nerve issues that caused pain in his lower extremities.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro had two tackles before exiting.

NFL Network reported Monday that Taylor avoided a major injury to his ankle but his status is unclear, given the short week. The team originally feared Taylor had suffered a high-ankle sprain.

Taylor has 328 yards rushing with a touchdown in four starts this season. He also has nine catches for 44 yards.

The Colts (1-2-1) travel to Denver (2-2) on Thursday night.

–Field Level Media