Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard underwent back surgery this offseason and while he told reporters Tuesday he’s feeling much better, there’s still no timeline for his return.
The Colts maintained during the spring workouts that Leonard was likely to miss some training camp time but that the expectation was he would be ready for Week 1.
As he reported to training camp Tuesday, Leonard wouldn’t put a timeline on his return from surgery.
“I’m not putting a timeline on it. I think the way I’m going now very happy with the way we’re going. I’m just going to take it day by day,” Leonard said Tuesday. “Just hope for the best and just get ready to rock and roll whenever the opportunity comes and just take the field running.”
Leonard, who goes by his middle name Shaquille now, missed the spring practices because of a lingering ankle injury. It turns out two discs were impinging a nerve in his back, and it was causing pain to shoot down his leg.
General manager Chris Ballard echoed the same sentiments that Leonard did and didn’t put a timeline on the star’s return either.
“Doing much better. Feels a lot of relief and I think that’s a good sign. When he’s back? He’s back when he’s back,” Ballard said Tuesday. “He’s got strength and he’s ready, he’s back. So, no timeline on him.”
Leonard is one of those players who could wind up missing a chunk of training camp and still be the highly productive player he’s always been as soon as he steps on the field. The team would like to get him into practices as much as possible before that, though.
Colts fans know more than most how to proceed with caution given a player’s injury outlook, but this situation will certainly be monitored over the next month.
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