Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard has been through the wringer when it comes to injuries this season, and that will continue in Week 7 as he’s been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
After missing the last two games due to a concussion and broken nose he suffered in Week 4 against the Titans at home, there was some optimism that Leonard would return for this game after practicing in full Thursday and Friday of this week.
However, head coach Frank Reich told the media Friday that the team decided to keep him out in order to protect Leonard from more injury considering the inactivity he went through over the last two weeks.
“We just kind of felt like he sustained a pretty serious injury on top of that concussion – on top of that a pretty significant procedure and for the last two weeks he’s been completely inactive, not any physical activity just kind of healing up,” Reich said.
Leonard missed the first three games of the season getting back from offseason back surgery. He made his debut against the Titans in Week 4 but left before the first half ended after a collision with Zaire Franklin gave Leonard a concussion and a broken nose.
The broken nose required surgery. Between that and the concussion, Leonard hasn’t been on the practice field until this week.
Reich made it clear that while Leonard cleared the concussion protocol, they felt there was a lot of risk throwing him back into the mix when he’s played just two quarters of football this season.
“We just think it’s the right thing. He has cleared the protocol. He has cleared concussion protocol as of today, but we just feel like it’s the right thing for him,” Reich said. “It’s the right thing for our team – give him a week, or two, or whatever it takes for him to kind of get back after having this injury, the procedure and then two weeks of complete inactivity.”
Leonard essentially has been treated for three injuries. The concussion and broken nose are recent, but the back injury is still listed on the injury report so it’s clear the team is still monitoring that.
The Colts have missed the heart of their defense for much of the season and not having him against Derrick Henry will be tough.
But the Colts have been cautious with Leonard throughout this entire process even if it means protecting a player from himself.
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