With Indianapolis Colts star linebacker, Shaquille Leonard, still sidelined, Frank Reich gave an update about expectations when Leonard returns.
While the Indianapolis Colts have been in training camp, perennial All-Pro linebacker, Shaquille Leonard, has been present and engaged. While he still hasn’t suited up because of back surgery recovery, Leonard has been out at camp coaching, autographing babies, and still bringing his infectious energy. While all that is great, everyone really wants to know when they will see Shaquille on the field participating in full pads.
Unfortunately, that remains a mystery. The Colts have stated countless times that they don’t have a timetable for Leonard’s return and the entire situation has become very triggering for a fan base still suffering from the fallout of Andrew Luck’s mystery injury and sudden retirement. However, this situation is different.
Both the team and Leonard have repeatedly expressed that this situation is different because the injury has already been addressed and it’s only a matter of recovering and getting back to full strength. Shaquille Leonard has also let fans know that he isn’t going anywhere soon.
However, there’s still no idea of when he will be back on the field, and Frank Reich’s most recent update wasn’t the most promising. While still not laying out a timetable, Reich honestly admitted that whenever Leonard is cleared he still likely won’t be 100%. Reich compared it to Peyton Manning playing his way back from a knee injury in 2008, arguing that Shaquille will have to find ways to be effective until he can play himself back into his full form.
Asked Colts HC Frank Reich about Shaquille Leonard's road back from his injury today and this is what he said: pic.twitter.com/0UOwfbSwOY
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) August 18, 2022
Frank Reich says Shaquille Leonard won’t be 100% when he returns
This isn’t necessarily the most promising thing to hear about a team’s star player and one of the leaders of the Indianapolis franchise. Considering Leonard played last season hampered by injury, and the entire point of the offseason surgery was so that he won’t have to play below 100% anymore, this is not a statement fans wanted to hear.
It’s safe to assume that many fans would much rather Shaquille stay out until he is 100% and ready to hit the field at full speed. Especially since the Colts have a loaded defense with good linebacker depth behind Leonard. They can’t really replace Shaq but they can survive until he’s ready.
Looking at Reich’s words through an optimistic lens, the percentages he was speaking to may not necessarily mean Leonard’s health but just his effectiveness as a player. If he’s cleared, that would mean he’s healthy but it won’t necessarily mean that Leonard will be in mid-season form.
After an offseason surgery, and missing the majority of camp, Leonard will have to get back to form in actual games during the regular season. While other players had training camp to work themselves into full form, Leonard will have to do it in real, meaningful action.
Thinking about it like that makes this statement less concerning, but fans won’t be fully relieved until Shaquille Leonard is back on the field running around, punching balls out, screaming, and dancing. Until that happens, everyone will be anxiously waiting and closely monitoring every update.
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