Free-agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who was released by the Indianapolis Colts last year in late November, intends to sign with a team and play in 2024, but he's also not ruling out retirement if the right opportunity doesn't come along. Since earning All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors in each of his first four seasons with the Colts in 58 games, Leonard only appeared in 17 games during his two most recent seasons due to injuries derailing his once-promising career. "If it happens, it happens. If it don't, it don't. I think throughout my career I've had a great career, even if I do step away from it. I'm enjoying life and just waiting on that opportunity," Leonard said. The 28-year-old played in 14 games (12 starts) last year with the Colts and Philadelphia Eagles and finished with 88 tackles (46 solo), one sack and four tackles for loss.
Eagles linebacker Shaquille Leonard has seen a growing snap share in recent games with the Philadelphia Eagles. After joining the team in Week 14, he has seen his snap share grow each week, from 14 in Week 14 to 54 in Week 16. Last week, he made seven combined tackles and his first sack of the season while playing 86% of the snaps. Fellow linebacker Nicholas Morrow was held out of the game with an abdomen injury, but Morrow will be back this week. He is listed behind Leonard on the depth chart, but he will likely take enough snaps away to keep Leonard below a 90% snap share. This week, the Eagles play the Cardinals, who rank amongst the top 10 in fantasy points allowed to IDP linebackers.
Free-agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. The former Indianapolis Colts All-Pro was released by the team on Nov. 21, and Philadelphia, along with the Dallas Cowboys, became the top two potential suitors for his services. He ultimately chose to join an Eagles defense that has struggled at linebacker this season. Linebacker Zach Cunningham (hamstring) missed the Week 13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, so Leonard's arrival is coming at a great time for the defending NFC Champions.
Shaquille Leonard Leaves Dallas Without A Contract
Free-agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard's visit with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday concluded without a contract, according to a person familiar with the situation. It doesn't mean that the two sides won't agree on something at a later date, but for now he has not signed a contract with the Dallas Cowboys. The three-time Pro Bowler and ex-Indianapolis Colt was never expected to make a quick decision on his next team, and he may be waiting for another visit with an interested club such as the Philadelphia Eagles. The 28-year-old linebacker isn't what he once was after enduring a slew of injuries in recent years, but he can still make some noise and will bring veteran leadership to a defense. Dallas is in need at the position after losing both Leighton Vander Esch (neck) and DeMarvion Overshown (knee) for the year.
Free-agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard is expected to meet with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 28-year-old was released by Indianapolis earlier this month after logging 65 tackles in nine games. The Cowboys already boast one of the best defensive units in football but have been without linebacker Leighton Vander Esch since October. He likely won't return this season. Leonard is a former All-Pro linebacker and would bring an immediate boost and another veteran presence to the Dallas defense.
Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard is not planning to sign with the Dallas Cowboys, as of now, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. The three-time All-Pro linebacker was released by the Colts earlier this week and now that he's cleared waivers, he's free to sign anywhere. He's mostly been linked to Philadelphia and Dallas with the latter gathering all of the recent momentum. Per Anderson, the Cowboys are still just gathering information on the oft-injured LB, however. The 28-year-old should sign with a contending team soon enough but he is no longer the tackling machine he once was due to injuries.
Cowboys, Eagles Expected To Be Interested In Shaquille Leonard
Indianapolis Colts three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard cleared waivers on Wednesday and is now a free agent, according to a source. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are expected to have some level of interest in signing Leonard. The 28-year-old former second-round pick in 2018 out of South Carolina State was one of the best linebackers in the NFL just several years ago, but debilitating injuries have now made him a shell of his former self. He wasn't an every-down player with the Colts this year before they waived him, and he may never be again, but he still has something to offer teams around the league in need of some linebacker help. Through nine games in 2023, Leonard has racked up 65 tackles (34 solo) and two tackles for loss. He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year for the Colts in 2018 and has four straight 100-plus tackle seasons to begin his career.
The Indianapolis Colts released former All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard on Tuesday. Leonard was a second-round selection by the Colts in the 2018 draft, and he went on to earn four All-Pro nods and four trips to the Pro Bowl. He collected 614 total tackles, 15 sacks, and 12 interceptions in 70 games for the organization. Last season, he was limited to just three games due to several injuries. In 2023, he played on just over 63% of the team's defensive snaps. Now, he's set to hit waivers, where he'll surely draw plenty of interest around the NFL.
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard (head) has cleared the league's concussion protocol, which means he should be able to play in the Week 1 regular season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday. Once one of the top IDP fantasy options at the linebacker position before injuries derailed his career the last couple of seasons, Leonard has now just become a stash candidate in those formats as an injury risk. The Colts could have the 28-year-old on a snap count to kick off the regular season in order to ease him back in. Leonard's teammate Zaire Franklin is now an every-week starter at linebacker in IDP formats.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that linebacker Shaquille Leonard remains in the league's concussion protocol but is progressing. It's good news that Leonard is progressing, but he's running out of time to get cleared in order to play in Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Due to various injuries in recent seasons, the 28-year-old's fantasy stock in IDP leagues has fallen considerably heading into the 2023 campaign. If he's unable to play in the season opener, Cameron McGrone should see an increase in playing time for the Colts defense. When healthy, Leonard has been a tackling machine in his career.
