Leonard miffed by reduced role: Colts 'say I don't make enough splash plays'
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard isn't happy with how the team is using him during games this season.
Colts coaches have said that Leonard, who underwent multiple back surgeries last year, would need to get to November to potentially have the role that made him a three-time first-team All-Pro back.
Leonard said Thursday that he's ready to do more on the field now but isn't optimistic he and Indianapolis are on the same page.
"I don't think they think that," Leonard said, according to Nate Atkins of the Indianapolis Star. "I think it's probably going to be the same or maybe even worse."
He added: "I just feel like each week proves who I am. I feel like the way I play the game improves each week, but they say I don't make enough splash plays. So I guess I'll still be watching for a little bit."
Leonard, a second-round pick in 2018, took the NFL by storm and earned All-Pro berths in his first four pro seasons. The 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year averaged 134 tackles (seven for loss), eight pass breakups, four forced fumbles, four sacks, and three interceptions per season from 2018-21. He forced a league-leading eight fumbles in 2021.
However, injuries became an issue for the South Carolina State product, who appeared in only three games in 2022. That was also when the Colts brought in Gus Bradley to replace Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator.
After Leonard rushed back from surgery last year, Indy has been monitoring his snaps in 2023 and often takes him off the field on third-down situations, leaving linebackers Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed in the game instead. Leonard, who missed Week 5 with a groin injury, has appeared in seven games this season while playing 72% of the Colts' defensive snaps, a dip from the 93% or above rate he had per year earlier in his career.
The 28-year-old Leonard has racked up 46 tackles (two for loss) this campaign with no sacks or turnovers forced.
"I'm not as free as I once was in the defense before," Leonard said Thursday. "It's kind of hard to see those splash plays because I'm either handling the ball back to Z or spooning it to the safeties. I'm not the free guy. I don't blitz. It's kind of tough to make splash plays when you just have to do your job and then on third downs you're sitting on the sidelines being a cheerleader."
Indianapolis' defense ranks dead last in scoring after allowing 28.6 points per game through this season's first eight weeks. The 3-5 Colts play the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots next before their Week 11 bye.
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