Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Remains unavailable for practice
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Leonard (back) has yet to return to practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Leonard is still recovering from his second back surgery, which he underwent in November. The linebacker appeared in just three games in 2022, recording 11 tackles, one pass deflection and an interception while he dealt with a concussion, a broken nose and a back injury. The Colts will likely continue to be cautious in their approach with Leonard ahead of the 2023 campaign in hopes to have their defensive leader available for Week 1 versus the Jaguars.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Still making progress
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Leonard continues to progress in his recovery from his second back surgery in November, Nate Atkins of the Indianapolis Star reports.
Leonard is "progressing well," according to head coach Shane Steichen, but he's still hesitant to put a timetable on the linebacker's return. The 27-year-old missed all but three games last season and was officially shut down in November when he underwent a second back procedure. At the end of last season, in reference to the games he did suit up for he said, "I shouldn't have been out there, shouldn't have been playing, should have just rested." However, with multiple months until training camp, Leonard is expected to be ready for it and barring any setbacks should be ready for Week 1.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Feeling good after second surgery
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Leonard said that he's feeling like his normal self again following the second back surgery that he received in November, per Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis.
Leonard missed 14 games in 2022 due to a combination of his nagging back issue, a concussion and a fractured nose, but it now sounds like the four-time All-Pro is finally back to normal. The 27-year-old originally underwent a procedure last offseason to repair two discs in his back, and it ultimately didn't address the primary cause for concern. Leonard then opted to receive a second surgery in November, which appears to have done the trick, so as of now, it seems like the 230-pound linebacker has a solid chance at suiting up for the Colts' season opener later this year.
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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: IR-bound with back injury
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Indianapolis placed Leonard (back) on its injured reserve list Saturday.
Leonard sat out six of the Colts' first seven games, but he apparently never got back to 100 percent before he returned for Weeks 8 and 9, as he'll now be forced to spend the next four games on the sideline. As long as the three-time All-Pro remains out, Zaire Franklin and Bobby Okereke should continue to do the majority of the heavy lifting at linebacker for Indianapolis.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Sidelined Week 10 after setback
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Set to play in Week 8
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Practicing on limited basis
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Lacks return timeline
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Won't play Week 6
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: May have suffered concussion
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Leonard is being evaluated for a head injury Sunday, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site reports.
Leonard was in the midst of his season debut after not playing yet this season due to a back injury. He had recorded two tackles before exiting against the Titans. If he is unable to return E.J. Speed will likely see extra opportunity.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Active for season debut
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Leonard (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Titans.
Leonard has yet to play this season, but he logged three full practices during the week and is set for action. He will be a key addition to the middle of the Colts' defense and has tallied over 120 tackles in all four of his seasons as a pro.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Deemed questionable for Sunday
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Colts head coach Frank Reich said Friday that Leonard (back) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans, JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.
Leonard has been slowly working his way back to game action, logging full Wednesday practices in each of the first three weeks before eventually being ruled out. However, he appears to be getting close to making his 2022 debut, with Reich saying the linebacker had "three pretty good days" of practice this week. Leonard was a full participant in each session ahead of Week 4, the first time he's done that this season, but he still hasn't been cleared for Sunday's game.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Still uncertain for Sunday
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Ruled out for Week 2
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Full participant Wednesday
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Limited in practice
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Full participant Wednesday
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Chance to play Week 1
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The Colts will see how Leonard (back) progresses during practice this week before making a decision about his status for Sunday's season opener against the Texans, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.
Leonard plans to practice Wednesday through Friday and will likely come down to a game-time decision Sunday. There's a chance he could play, but the team is being cautious with the 2018 second-round pick, who's missed at least one game due to injury in each of his first four NFL seasons. Leonard has still managed to record at least 120 tackles in each of those campaigns, but he's never matched his impressive rookie year (163 tackles and seven sacks).
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Practicing Wednesday
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Leonard (back) returned to practice Wednesday, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.
Leonard was activated off the PUP list Tuesday, securing a spot on the 53-man roster, and returned to practice Wednesday, all signs that he should be good to go for Week 1 against the Texans. The 2018 second-round pick has had back-to-back rough years on the health front, undergoing a small procedure on his ankle in July 2021 before having surgery to repair two discs in his back this June. Leonard has registered at least 120 tackles in all four of his NFL campaigns, but he's never matched his impressive rookie season (163 tackles and seven sacks).
