Source: #Colts All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard underwent successful season-ending back surgery this morning after several evaluations. Leonard is on Injured Reserve, and the hope is the procedure fixes his issue for good.

25 comments

1. Back is tricky…hoping he can bounce back but can’t say there aren’t doubts we ever seen him again at his former level of production.

2. I hope he comes back as the player he can be next year but that contract is a *big* woof right now.

3. 

4. Wasted season and it’s a damn shame. A full year of people hating on him for things he can’t control is gonna drive him nuts. Next years he’s back with a chip the size of a Mack truck!

5. Rest up, Maniac. Zaire been a good LB in your stead.

6. I hate back injuries more than anything else because sometimes those things go away. Hope this is the end of it.

7. That was fast. At least he has a longer recovery period.

8. I’m curious what this surgery provided that the first one did not. Hoping for a safe and speedy recovery!

9. Double edge sword, one of the best LBs in the league out and after signing a massive contract. Plus the dudes taking his place have also been balling out, one of which is going to command big money this off-season

10. think he just needs to stay off social media, and work on himself getting better

11. Hope he comes back fully ready to go next year. We aren’t going to make any noise this year anyway. Franklin has been stellar in his place so hopefully we can have both on the field next year.

12. We all hope it fixes his issue for good too. Tough to be living and playing so long with physical pain.

13. Is this a part of the issue he had with his calf this off-season?

14. I hope this surgery makes him feel better. He’s the heart of this team, and I can’t wait to see him on the field again.

15. Two back surgeries in less than a year is less than ideal for anyone, much less a football player.

16. Yeah, this is exactly what they said about his surgery last season.

    Not gonna lie, retirement should be considered here. And might actually be the best choice.

17. Bye Leonard. May your trade value not have taken too big of a hit this season and good luck on your future team(s)💜

18. I dont want to hear about trading him. The amount of people I see instantly throwing Leonard under the bus, the one time hes not played much in season.

    Now granted Twitter is filled with a lot of… dumb takes.

19. Not quite Bob Sanders level, but definitely trying.

20. Honest question: in the alternate reality where we go on a run and make playoffs, if he is pain free and feeling ready, can he come back and play in the playoffs?

21. Fingers 🤞 that he’s not the next **Bob Sanders**.

22. Maybe he can come back as Darius instead of Shaq.

23. Glad he got paid. Would’ve been a damn tragedy for him if this injury had sidelined him before he got his bag. Thanks for everything Shaq, hope to see you next year.

24. Man I hope so. He looked bad out there this year. Hope he gets back to Maniac level.

25. I think he just needs to rehab correctly and not try to rush it like he did this year. There was a reason the coaches were only giving him limited snaps despite him wanting more. He probably should’ve been on the IR from the beginning this year

    He’ll have from now until June so I’m hoping he can bounce back