Shaquille Leonard Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Eagles LB Nicholas Morrow (abdomen) is inactive for today's game against the Giants. That leaves Philly down its top two LBs, with Zach Cunningham already ruled out. Expect Shaquille Leonard to lead the position in playing time. Undrafted rookie Ben VanSumeren looks like the next guy up. He has yet to play a snap on defense this season, though, so shouldn't be in anyone's IDP plans. Leonard makes for a solid LB3-level play.

The Eagles have agreed to a one-year deal with LB Shaquille Leonard. That gives the veteran LB a strong opportunity to reach the starting lineup. Philly already has LB Nakobe Dean (foot) on IR and missed LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring) in Sunday's loss to the 49ers. That left Nicholas Morrow as the position's only full-timer and Christian Elliss next at 75% snap share. We'd guess that opportunity was a key to Leonard choosing the Eagles, and we'll watch for word on his immediate role. Of course, Leonard hit the open market in part because his performance -- and fantasy production -- lagged well short of past seasons in Indianapolis. So don't get too excited about the veteran in your IDP league. But he's OK to pick up in deeper formats.

The Colts have waived LB Shaquille Leonard. The veteran LB's playing time has been down vs. previous seasons, but he played at least 69% of the snaps in seven of his nine appearances -- including Indy's last game. Leonard played poorly in that contest, though. And for the season, Pro Football Focus has him at the highest missed-tackle rate of his career. Leonard still figures to catch on elsewhere -- likely after he clears waivers so that the new team doesn't have to pay the rest of his sizable contract. We'll see whether the 28-year-old can land somewhere with a path to full playing time. His departure should elevate E.J. Speed to No. 2 LB behind MLB Zaire Franklin.

The Colts have downgraded LB Zaire Franklin to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Panthers for the knee injury that kept him out of practice all week. That should leave Shaquille Leonard and E.J. Speed as the top two LBs for Indy in this game. Check our Week 9 LB rankings to see how high each has risen.

The Colts have ruled LB Shaquille Leonard (groin) and Edge Kwity Paye (concussion) out for Sunday's game against the Titans. Leonard has fallen way down our rest-of-season IDP rankings and is droppable in many leagues. Paye's absence comes as no surprise after concussion symptoms arose after Week 4. E.J. Speed has passed Leonard in regular playing time and becomes a more attractive option with Leonard out. Paye's absence leaves snaps for Samson Ebukam and Dayo Odeyingbo.

Colts LB Shaquille Leonard sustained a concussion in a joint practice with the Bears late last week and has landed in the league protocol. HC Shane Steichen said, "He should be back soon." Leonard has struggled with injuries over the past couple of years but has generated buzz in camp this summer. With plenty of time to rebound from this concussion before the regular season, Leonard should remain in your IDP draft plans. He's not moving off a high perch in our IDP rankings.

Nate Atkins of the Indianapolis Star reports that Colts LB Shaquille Leonard "is moving well and popping people" in practice so far. That's especially good news for the 28-year-old who lost basically all of last summer to a back injury that required surgery. Before that, Leonard was hampered by a nagging ankle issue that limited his practice time even as he was playing through it. At full health, Leonard has been a dominant scorer for IDP leagues. He opened the year inside the top 10 LBs in our IDP rankings. A healthy camp and preseason just might push the Colt even higher.

Colts LB Shaquille Leonard had back surgery Tuesday and will miss the rest of the season. The operation was reportedly successful, so he should have time to get ready for 2023. In the meantime, Zaire Franklin and Bobby Okereke should be locked in as Indy's full-time LBs the rest of this season.

Colts LB Shaquille Leonard will not only miss this week's game, but also at least the 3 after that. The team has placed him on IR following a setback with his troublesome back. Leonard had surgery in June, then didn't appear in a game until Week 4. A concussion and facial injury then sidelined him until Week 8. Leonard has yet to exceed 54% playing time in his 3 appearances. Indianapolis has a Week 14 bye, so Leonard will now be out until at least Week 15. And even then, he'll be a poor bet to return at full playing time. He's droppable in nearly all redraft formats.

The Colts have ruled LB Shaquille Leonard (back, ankle) out for Sunday's game against the Raiders. That should return LB Bobby Okereke to full playing time. We've moved him up the Week 10 IDP rankings.

The Colts added LB Shaquille Leonard to the injury report Thursday after he missed practice with back and ankle issues. It might have been a rest/maintenance day for the veteran, but it's the 1st practice he has missed since Week 6. So it's clearly not a good thing. We'll see what Friday holds for him.

Colts LB Shaquille Leonard will play Sunday against the Commanders, though he's not yet going full time. "He’s ahead of schedule, but not quite there yet so he will be on a pitch count," HC Frank Reich told the Indianapolis Star. "We feel he is the best defensive player in the league. Our goal is to get him out there for 100 percent of the snaps as soon as we can, but we’re just not quite there yet." Leonard is coming off surgery for a broken nose, as well as a concussion. That followed a slow start to the year coming off June back surgery. It's tough to know just how many snaps Leonard will play, but we've boosted Zaire Franklin to full playing time and moved him way up the Week 8 IDP rankings. He played 100% in the 1 game that has included Leonard so far this year (Week 4).