INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 31: Indianapolis Colts helmet on the sidelines during an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts on October 31, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
When Interim Head Coach Jeff Saturday of the Indianapolis Colts takes charge of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he will lose one of the best players in the league.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, linebacker Shaquille Leonard faltered in practice this week while dealing with a back injury and is currently heading to the injured list. He will miss four games, possibly more.
Leonard is limited to just three games and 74 snaps for the entire season as he battles a string of injuries. 11 tackles, 1 interception.
Leonard has been an All-Pro player every season since his NFL debut in 2018. He earned his Defensive Rookie of the Year honors that season and was voted to the Pro Bowl every three years thereafter.
Luckily for the Indianapolis Colts, the team managed to maintain a top 15 defense in the NFL despite missing Leonard in 6 of 9 games.
Head coach Frank Reich was subsequently fired, and owner Jim Irsay appointed longtime friend Jeff Saturday as interim head coach of the team. hired to run the
Still, the loss of Shaq Leonard will loom large for the rest of the season.
Can the Colts overcome his loss and perform well defensively?
