SHAQUILLE LEONARD NEWS

Leonard's return adds 'juice' to Colts improved defense

Pro Bowl linebacker Darius Leonard couldn't wait to get back on the field

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Colts LB Darius Leonard brings energy, wrecks havoc in return against Lions Colts LB Darius Leonard brings energy, wrecks havoc in return against Lions.

NOVEMBER 1, 2020 • INDYSTAR.COM

Rivers' 3 TDs in 2nd quarter help Colts beat Lions 41-21

Philip Rivers threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter to give the Indianapolis Colts a double-digit lead and they beat the Detroit Lions 41-21 on Sunday

NOVEMBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Will play Sunday Leonard (groin) will suit up against the Lions on Sunday, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

Impact Leonard resumed practicing in full Thursday, so official confirmation that he'll make his return against the Lions doesn't come as much of a surprise. The third-year pro hasn't played since Week 4 against the Bears. As long as he's on the field, Leonard is a must-start fantasy option in most IDP formats.

OCTOBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

With Darius Leonard returning, do Colts move to 5-2 or will Lions prevail? If Philip Rivers can connect on a few downfield shots, that will give rookie Jonathan Taylor more holes to hit.

OCTOBER 30, 2020 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Colts: Darius Leonard still not committing to status for Sunday Indianapolis Colts LB Darius Leonard would like to play Sunday against the Lions, but he's not sure yet. The Indianapolis Colts' defense beg...

OCTOBER 30, 2020 • HORSESHOEHEROES.COM

Back to practicing in full Leonard (groin) was a full participant during the Colts' practice session Thursday.

Impact The one-time All-Pro has been unable to suit up since sustaining a groin injury during Indianapolis' Week 4 win over the Bears, but it appears he is on a trajectory to make his much-anticipated return against Detroit in Week 8. Leonard made his initial foray into resuming practice last Thursday, but this marks the 25-year-old's first full session since sustaining the injury. The Colts' defense is still tied for third in the NFL in DVOA, but the unit has surrendered 59 combined points the past two weeks in Leonard's absence.

OCTOBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Rivers shares football intel to help Colts' defense improve

Philip Rivers is a fiery competitor on game day — and in practice

OCTOBER 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Limited participant Wednesday Leonard (groin) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Impact The 25-year-old missed the two games leading up to the Colts' bye in Week 7, but he's back on the field after some extra recovery time. Leonard may need to progress to full practice participation by the end of the week to avoid an injury designation, but he's trending in the right direction for Sunday's matchup with the Lions.

OCTOBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Colts players Darius Leonard, Michael Pittman Jr., Kemoko Turay return to practice The bye week has given several injured Indianapolis Colts a chance to get back on the field.

OCTOBER 28, 2020 • INDYSTAR.COM

Rivers answers critics as Colts carry 4-2 mark into bye

Philip Rivers heard plenty of criticism about his mistakes in a loss at Cleveland

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Colts hope to get Darius Leonard, Mo Alie-Cox, Michael Pittman, Kemoko Turay back after bye Leonard, Alie-Cox and Pittman have all been close to returning to the Colts; defensive end Kemoko Turay is hoping to come off of reserve/PUP...

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • INDYSTAR.COM

Rivers throw 3 TD passes as Colts rally past Bengals 31-27

Philip Rivers opened the fourth quarter by throwing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jack Doyle to take the lead and helping the Indianapolis Colts to a 31-27 victory over the Cincinnat...

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tampa Bay's Godwin, Green Bay's Adams return from injuries

Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin and Green Bay’s Davante Adams are back in the lineup after missing time because of hamstring injuries

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Anthony Castonzo active vs. Bengals; Darius Leonard out Warren Central product Sheldon Day to make his Colts debut.

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • INDYSTAR.COM

Won't play Week 6 Leonard (groin) is inactive Week 6 against Cincinnati.

Impact Leonard didn't see the practice field all week and was given a "doubtful" tag heading into the contest, so it's no surprise to see him miss his second consecutive game, especially with a bye week on tap in Week 7. In Leonard's absence last week against the Browns, Zaire Franklin saw more snaps, but it was Bobby Okereke who benefitted statistically, racking up a season-high 10 combined tackles.

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Colts: Darius Leonard’s absence shouldn’t matter with front four’s matchup vs Bengals OL Colts LB Darius Leonard's absence in Week 6 shouldn't matter against the Bengals' dreadful offensive line. Remember how concerned fans in In...

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • HORSESHOEHEROES.COM

Colts injuries: TE Mo Alie-Cox out, LB Darius Leonard doubtful vs. Bengals LT Anthony Castonzo (ribs) questionable to play Sunday

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • INDYSTAR.COM

Likely out again Week 6 Leonard (groin) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Impact The 25-year-old was unable to play last week against the Browns and is expected to miss his second straight game due to the groin injury. Zaire Franklin saw increased defensive snaps in his absence and figures to do so again Sunday with Leonard unlikely to play.

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Misses another practice session Leonard (groin) did not participate during Indianapolis' practice session Thursday, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

Impact Keefer expanded by stating that it's a "long shot" the star linebacker will be able to suit up during the Colts' Week 6 matchup against the Bengals. Leonard suffered the injury after playing just 28 defensive snaps during Indianapolis' Week 4 win against the Bears, but the Colts defense still held Chicago to a measly 28 rushing yards on 16 attempts. Week 5 was a different story, as the Browns racked up 124 team rushing yards with Leonard inactive.

OCTOBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Colts plan to dial up pressure against Bengals' Burrow

Indianapolis still has the NFL's top-ranked defense after giving up a season-high 32 points in last weekend's loss at Cleveland

OCTOBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rivers trying to get back on track for Colts after poor game

Philip Rivers has experienced just about everything in his 17-year NFL career

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Still not practicing Leonard (groin) isn't practicing Wednesday, Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan reports.

Impact Leonard hurt his groin against the Bears in Week 4, and he's still not practicing after missing last week's loss to the Browns. The Colts will hope to have the star linebacker back for at least one of the next two practices ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, though the team could opt to play things safe with Leonard with a bye coming up in Week 7.

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Injuries to Leonard, Castonzo keep Colts out of sync in loss

The Indianapolis Colts missed Pro Bowl linebacker Darius Leonard on Sunday

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS