Colts release linebacker Shaquille Leonard

Shaquille Leonard (All Pro Reels, Wikimedia Commons)

According to Jaclyn Hendricks of the New York Post on Tuesday, the Indianapolis Colts have released linebacker Shaquille Leonard of Nichols, South Carolina. He spent the last six seasons with the Colts.

In 2023, Leonard had 65 combined tackles (34 solo tackles and 31 assisted tackles), and two tackles for a loss. One possible reason for Leonard’s release was because he had expressed his frustration to the media about his lack of playing time according to Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star on November 9. Leonard thought he would see regular playing time with the Zaire Franklin knee injury, but instead was splitting time with E.J. Speed.

Leonard is coming off a season where he was battling injuries. A year ago, he missed games due to a broken nose, concussion, and back injury.

Initially the Colts’s second round pick, 36th overall in the 2018 National Football League Draft, Leonard played his college football at South Carolina State. He immediately made an impact in his rookie season. In 2018, Leonard was the Associated Press defensive rookie of the year. He was selected to the Pro Bowl, and led the entire NFL in combined tackles (163) and solo tackles (111).

Leonard was also selected to the Pro Bowl the next three seasons from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, he led the NFL with eight forced fumbles. In 70 regular season games, Leonard has 614 combined tackles (385 solo tackles, and 229 assisted tackles), 32 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 12 interceptions for 157 yards, one pick six, 31 pass deflections, 17 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries for 34 yards and 15 sacks.

After his release, Leonard showed high praise for his humanitarianism. Even though he was no longer part of the Colts, Leonard still handed out turkeys at a volunteer event.

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