INDIANAPOLIS — Shaquille Leonard is back — again.
Colts coach Frank Reich announced Friday that the All-Pro linebacker will return Sunday against the Commanders at Lucas Oil Stadium. Leonard missed the first three games of the season as he recovered from offseason back surgery and lasted only 16 snaps during his initial return in Week 4 before being knocked out of the game. Leonard took friendly fire from Zaire Franklin, who accidentally blasted him in the face during a tackle and broke Leonard’s nose in two places and gave him a concussion.
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Leonard has been a full participant in five straight practices dating to last week, but Reich said he’ll be on a pitch count.
“I think I’m ready,” said Leonard, who added that the pitch count wasn’t his idea. “I’m confident in my ability to go out there and play winning football and do what I gotta do to help this team win.
“Hopefully, (I’ll) bring that turnover mentality, that leadership, that energy — just being me. Not trying to do too much, just be the best version of myself that I possibly can.”
Leonard, a three-time first-team All-Pro, had eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and four interceptions last season. Through seven games this season, the Colts’ entire defense has totaled three forced fumbles, four fumbles recoveries and three picks.
Reich said he met with general manager Chris Ballard when Leonard rejoined the team after undergoing nose surgery, and they anticipated that Leonard would need at least two weeks to get back in game form. Leonard admitted he wanted to return sooner but acknowledged the team was protecting him from himself.
“We feel he is the best defensive player in the league,” Reich said. “Our goal is to get him out there for 100 percent of the snaps as soon as we can, but we’re just not quite there yet. We’re gonna do what we think is best for Shaq and what’s best for our team, but (I’m) really encouraged with the progress that he’s made.”
Earlier this week, former league MVP Matt Ryan was benched for second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger. Leonard said the whole team is responsible for its 3-3-1 record and overall poor performance, though he fully supports Ehlinger ahead of his first start.
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“My job is to play good linebacker defense. So as long as I can do that, I think that we’ll be fine,” Leonard said. “I feel like when it comes down to the quarterback position, that’s not my job to say what we need and what we don’t need. My job is to come in and whoever’s back there taking the snap, I’mma be back there supporting them no matter what. That’s been my mindset since 2018, and that’s just how it’s gonna continue to go.”
(Photo: Jeffrey Brown / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
