by Andrew Moore
Sunday will mark 309 days since Shaquille Leonard last played a meaningful down of football for the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts had just been dominated by the New England Patriots. Former head coach Frank Reich was fired the next day in favor of Jeff Saturday. Leonard suffered a setback to his lingering back injury in the following Wednesday’s practice. The setback led to Leonard being placed on season-ending injured reserve that Saturday ahead of the Colts’ matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
After a second surgery to fix the nerve issues in his back – which caused pain down his leg to his ankle – and going through months of excruciating rehab, Leonard will finally be back on the field Sunday when the Colts take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Very excited,” Leonard said when asked how he feels to be back. “I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to get back on the field and compete with my guys and just go back out there and have some fun.”
Leonard’s back injury has been well-chronicled. The former All-Pro first noticed something was up back in 2019, and it progressively got worse. In 2021, Leonard dealt with ankle pain all season. The pain did not stop Leonard from racking up 122 tackles, eight forced fumbles, four interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
Pinched nerves in his back were the root cause of the issue. Leonard underwent surgery in June of 2022 and was expected to be back in time for training camp. But training camp came and went, and Leonard did not play in the team’s first three games. The injury was much more serious than originally thought.
The linebacker returned in Week 4, but his comeback was cut short after Leonard received a concussion and broken nose on a friendly-fire hit by fellow linebacker Zaire Franklin. The injuries kept him out another three games, and after two games on a pitch count, things still did not feel right.
The Colts shut Leonard down for the season, and the linebacker underwent another surgery on his back in November. The second surgery finally did the trick, and after months of rehab and building up the strength in his lower body, he no longer has pain in his back or leg. Leonard also cleared concussion protocol this week from an injury he suffered in joint practice against the Chicago Bears. After almost a year away from the game, the former All-Pro feels healthy and ready to go.
“It’s been hard but you just take it day by day and just realize how blessed you truly are,” Leonard explained. “And when you get an opportunity, just go out there and continue to put your best foot forward and give what you’ve got for this team.”
Leonard finally feels like he is physically ready to be a playmaker for the Colts’ defense again. However, when a player has the type of serious injury Leonard endured, there can be mental hurdles to overcome. But Leonard does not think that will be an issue for him.
“I think I’m where I need to be,” Leonard admitted. “Just trusting, reacting and just playing ball and trying not to think too much.”
It has been hard to miss #53 on the field throughout training camp. The energy he brings to the Colts’ defense is hard to miss, hyping up his teammates after big plays and talking trash to the offense. Leonard’s passion and playing style have made him a fan favorite and incredibly respected in the locker room.
Head coach Shane Steichen quickly noticed what Leonard brought to this team on the field. The energy he injects is a plus, but Leonard’s football IQ sets him apart and makes him one of the most feared linebackers in the league.
“Just his leadership presence out there and the way he sees the game and the way he studies the game,” Steichen said. “Just the presence he brings to our football team out there defensively is tremendous for our guys. To have a leader like him, to see it the way he sees it, the way he calls out plays by formation, I mean that stuff is invaluable and we’re looking forward to him playing this year.”
While having Leonard back means a tremendous amount to him and this Colts’ defense, there is still a game to be played on Sunday. The reigning AFC South champs is a tough test to start the season for a Colts team that underwent quite a few changes in the offseason. Leonard and the defense want to show they can lead the way and hold their own against a potent Jaguars offense.
“It’s big. I think it’s probably my second time opening up at home,” Leonard remarked. “Starting off with a divisional opponent, you want to start the season out pretty strong. What better way to start with Jacksonville Week 1 and come out here with the home crowd? Definitely looking forward to it. It’s definitely a big opportunity.”
The Colts are also looking to break their Week 1 curse. Indy has not won a Week 1 game since 2013. Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton, Robert Mathis, and Adam Vinatieri were still wearing the Horseshoe the last time the Colts started a season 1-0.
Having Leonard back in the middle of the defense certainly gives the Colts a better chance to break the curse. Those 309 days have been very long, especially for Leonard. And although Leonard may be back in the lineup, the question is, is he back to being “The Maniac?”
“I’m close, I’m close,” Leonard confirmed. “Just got to continue to come out here, get better, continue to go out there and work and just try to put myself in position to make plays.”
The heartbeat of the Colts’ defense looks to have returned, and this time for good.
Originally posted on Horseshoe Huddle on FanNation