11-21-2022, 09:45 PM
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Colts LB Shaquille Leonard on 2nd back surgery:
https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...y/69665712007/
Quote:
INDIANAPOLIS - Shaquille Leonard is a week out of surgery, smiling as he greets the fans who've arrived to his annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway, trying to take his mind off of football for a moment.
But the people in the cars stopping to say hi and pose for photos want The Maniac back on the field. He, of course, wants that more than anyone, which is why he elected for another surgery in order to try to heal his back.
"It's just rest and letting the body heal," Leonard said. "Hopefully the nerves can get back right. I'm just making sure I'm staying prepared mentally and emotionally and then, when the time comes, physically."
Leonard spoke at his second annual giveaway, in which he partnered with the Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana to give away 200 meal kits to families for the holiday. Kenny Moore II, Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed were among the teammates who helped pass out meals.
"When the time comes" is the tricky caveat here testing Leonard's patience in ways he hasn't had to experience before. Ever since he broke on the scene as a second-round pick from South Carolina State who immediately became an All-Pro, the 27-year-old has thrived by being on the field and letting his play match the fire of his words. Last year, that meant having a hand in a league-best 15 turnovers, marking his fourth straight All-Pro season.
Indianapolis Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard is experiencing his first season lost to injury after he underwent a second back surgery earlier this month.
But this summer, doctors located a nerve issue in his back that had been shooting pain down into his calf and ankle. It helped explain why the ankle that hurt so much at the end of last season didn't feel entirely healed. The hope was that a summer surgery and resting through all of training camp could get him back this season.
After sitting out the first three weeks, Leonard returned for a game against the Titans but lasted less than a half before he took an inadvertent shot from Franklin that broke his nose and gave him a brain injury. He came back from that to play parts of two games against the Commanders and Patriots before he felt a setback in the back at practice, and he and the Colts decided it was time for another surgery.
"It does feel like I'm back to Square One," Leonard said. "... Maybe I pushed it a little too quick. Now I have time for actual true rest and to get the proper treatment and recovery for this injury. Hopefully come OTAs, I'll be ready to rock and roll."
For the past four years, Leonard has been the teammate consoling others through the loneliness of rehab. Now, he's on the receiving end.
"I've just been letting him know he's still one of my brothers, still a great friend and a great teammate," linebacker Bobby Okereke said. "We're going to support him all the way through this."
Leonard said his wife and two daughters help keep him grounded, as do teammates like the ones who showed up to his event. This is a setback, but he's hoping it paves the way for a better comeback than the last time around.
"I am still The Maniac," Leonard said. "I believe I still have the capability of going out there and making plays. I keep the receipts of everything anyone's ever said about me, and I'm looking at the tweets, I'm seeing everything, and I'm just ready to go out and prove everybody wrong once again."
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