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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Solid showing in Week 3
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Eight tackles in season opener
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Remains in concussion protocol
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Leonard remains in concussion protocol but is making progress, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
It is still unclear when Leonard sustained the concussion, but it sounds like he is trending in the right direction. Expect the Colts to continue exercising caution with the three-time, first-team All-Pro linebacker in order to ensure his health for the start of the regular season.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Set to play
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Still making progress
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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.
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Colts' Shaquille Leonard: Passes physical, not yet practicing
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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.
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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.
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: 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.
