Wait and see on Leonard

[JAFF]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...week-1-status/

I cant get the article to copy. Basically, the team will not rush him into the line up

[Racehorse]

Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard may . . . or may not play in the season opener against the Texans. The team wants to see how the All-Pro responds to a full week of practice before determining his game-day status.

Leonard only returned to practice last week after offseason back surgery.

“That’s the approach we’re taking,” Colts head coach Frank Reich said, via Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. “Let’s get out there and practice and keep making progress. Don’t force anything, but let’s keep making progress.”

Leonard needed surgery to relieve pressure two discs in his spine were putting on his nerves. He missed all of training camp.

So, if Leonard can play, the Colts might have him on pitch count. He has played 98 percent of the defensive snaps in three of his four seasons, including last season, and 93 percent in the other season.

“No doctor has said that to me, but it feels like that might be the right thing to do,” Reich said of reduced snaps for Leonard. “My brain says, yeah, he’ll probably have a pitch count playing in his first game, but I’m not going to make it an absolute, because what you find over the years is sometimes different players respond differently.”

Colts General Manager Chris Ballard said last week Leonard has arrived at the team facility at 5:45 a.m. every day to get in extra work.

Leonard is working his way back as fast as he can, but the Colts are going to wait until the end of the week, or maybe even game day, before deciding.

“The injury’s kind of a unique injury,” Reich said. “If he gets to a point where he’s comfortable and they say, 20 plays or 70 plays, it’s all the same from a conditioning standpoint. If he’s ready to go, then you let him play. It’s Shaq. He’s a great player. But we want to be smart.”

[CletusPyle]

I think I'd sit him if there is even the slightest doubt he's ready....Colts should be able to take care of business in Houston without him!

[HoosierinFL]

Even without an injury risk, I can't imagine he's in game shape. He went months without any real practice, and now after only 2 weeks (last week and this).
As good as he is, I can't imagine he would be an asset to the team over the guys who have been practicing full time during camp. Maybe he can see the field for a few situational snaps, but that's it.

[Pez]

I think he suits up and plays. I am certain that is what he wants to do, and I think it will be a challenge to keep him off the field if he feels healthy.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by CletusPyle

I think I'd sit him if there is even the slightest doubt he's ready....Colts should be able to take care of business in Houston without him!

You would think so, but the Colts always shit the bed in the season opener.

[Pez]

Originally Posted by Butter

You would think so, but the Colts always shit the bed in the season opener.

If we lose to the dumpster fire that is Houston, there is no reason to take this team seriously.

Shitting the bed week 1 is simply not an option. If we can't manage a division road game against a team whose best prospects for the 2022 season is a good pick for the 2023 draft, we have zero chance of beating the chiefs in week 3.

[HoosierinFL]

Originally Posted by Pez

If we lose to the dumpster fire that is Houston, there is no reason to take this team seriously.

Shitting the bed week 1 is simply not an option. If we can't manage a division road game against a team whose best prospects for the 2022 season is a good pick for the 2023 draft, we have zero chance of beating the chiefs in week 3.

true but the colts under Reich have done stuff like that. Just like last year, we had a great streak of beating the Pats and then Cardinals on the road, and then shit the bed against a terrible jacksonville team. So yea, shitting the bed against bad teams and then stepping up and beating contenders is definitely something this team might do.

[Oldcolt]

Until we learn to win games we should (I am looking at you Jacksonville AND the first game of the season for EIGHT straight years-EIGHT) this is a team of pretenders who talk a great game, get individual accolades but fold under the slightest pressure. I am sick of this crap, as I know we all are. Time is long past to change this.

[Colts And Orioles]

Originally Posted by Butter

You would think so, but the Colts always shit the bed in the season opener.

o


They won 3 consecutive season openers en-route to 3 consecutive AFC East titles in 1975, 1976, and 1977 ...... with a precedent as recent as that, I don't see any reason why the Colts can't win their season opener this year.

o