Colts' Shaquille Leonard Delivers Message to His Doubters

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard was one of the best at his position in the NFL during his first four seasons. In fact, he may have been the very best.

From 2018-21, Leonard earned three first-team All-Pro nominations. He also made second-team All-Pro, three Pro Bowls and won Defensive Rookie of the Year during that time.

Such an accomplished player usually doesn't have doubters after turning just 28. But with Leonard struggling to get on the field because of multiple injuries in 2022 and another concussion this preseason, fans on social media and media members have questioned whether Leonard will ever return to his first-team All-Pro form.

Leonard keeps tabs on all of that criticism. It's what motivates him to be even better.

“I try to use that (the criticism) as fuel to make my game go up,” Leonard told reporters on Thursday. “Make people shut up. That’s the goal, each and every week.

“No matter how many times I’ve been knocked down, just continue to get back up and continue to put my best foot forward.”

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Leonard has been knocked down plenty over the past 15 months.

An injury to his left ankle kept him sidelined during OTAs in 2022. Then, suddenly, Leonard underwent back surgery on June 7, which the team explained was causing the lingering issues in his ankle.

Leonard avoided the PUP list to begin 2022, but he sat out the first three games. In the first half of Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans, he suffered a concussion and broken nose, which sidelined him another three games.

He returned for two contests in Weeks 8 and 9 but a setback to his back then landed him on injured reserve for the rest of the season. The linebacker had a second back surgery on November 15.

If Leonard could even get back close to his 2021 form, it would be a huge boost for the Colts defense. He had 122 combined tackles, 4 interceptions and a league-leading 8 forced fumbles in 2021.

Leonard had an interception and pass defense in just three games last season.

The 28-year-old led the NFL in tackles as a rookie with 163. He also had seven sacks that season.

In 2019, he led the Colts with five interceptions.

Missing Leonard was far from the only thing that went wrong for the Colts last season. But having him back and motivated to silence his critics could make a major difference in 2023.

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