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One of the major issues the Indianapolis Colts faced defensively in the 2022 season was the absence of star linebacker Shaquille Leonard. Battling a myriad of injuries, Leonard played in only three games.
It was the first time in his NFL career that he failed to make an All-Pro or Pro Bowl team, which he had done in each of his first four seasons with the Colts. It was a difficult turn of events for Leonard, but things were expected to go back to normal in 2023.
Healthy and able to get back on the field, the expectation was that Leonard would return right back to a prominent role in the defense. However, that has not been the case and he wants to know the reasoning behind it.
“What can I do? What am I doing wrong? You don’t believe in me?” Leonard said. “Am I not making plays? Am I bad in the run game? Am I bad in the pass game? Tell me something. Help me sleep. Help me sleep better at night,” Leonard said when speaking to the media on Thursday.
Just like last week, Shaq Leonard expressing frustration with scaled back role.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) November 9, 2023
Leonard got 39 snaps last week (2nd lowest of year), despite no Zaire Franklin.
Clear staff disagreement from Leonard, who doesn’t see role (splitting 1st & 2nd downs, no 3rd down) changing in '23. pic.twitter.com/6xk02ZNtiD
After playing 93 percent of the snaps on defense in his first four seasons with the Colts, Leonard has seen that number drop to 70 percent this season. As noted by Kevin Bowen in the tweet, Leonard is splitting reps on first and second down and coming off the field for third down.
Against the Carolina Panthers last week, Leonard played a season-low 44 percent of the snaps. That was a bizarre turn of events as the Colts were without fellow linebacker Zaire Franklin in the game.
It is something that has been a source of frustration, as Leonard is bothered by the lack of playing time and communication from the team. Given how important he was to the defense earlier in his career, he does deserve some insight into why things have changed.
Injuries can quickly derail a player’s career and the Colts could be looking to scale Leonard’s reps back to help keep him healthy. There is also a new coaching staff in place with Shane Steichen as head coach, and he may not view Leonard in the same light that the previous regime led by Frank Reich did.
“It’s just tough, man. It is frustrating when you’re having conversations and trying to figure out what else to do,” Leonard said. “I honestly don’t know what to do, I put my best foot forward every day.”
Regardless of what the reason may be, it has not been communicated to Leonard. That is something that needs to change or the coaching staff could start losing the locker room.
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