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Indianapolis Colts get news on linebacker Darius Leonard

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Indianapolis Colts have added some key pieces to their defense this offseason. But the team could be without their All-Pro linebacker for a few months.

The resume for the 2018 second-round pick from South Carolina State is impressive. And that may be a bit of an understatement.

Linebacker Darius Leonard has put up phenomenal numbers in each of his four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

He was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 thanks to a team-high 163 tackles. He added seven sacks, four forced fumbles, eight passes defensed, and four takeaways.

He’s finished with 120-plus tackles in each of his four campaigns. There’s a combined 11 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries. He earned All-Pro honors as a rookie in each of the past two seasons.

He’s been voted to the last three Pro Bowls. Darius Leonard is the key to a unit that has a new coordinator Gus Bradley. There’s fellow stars in defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and cornerback Kenny Moore II.

And there are newcomers in cornerback Stephon Gilmore and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.

But the group got some news recently that will play a part in the gelling of this unit and it regards Leonard’s health.

"He’s had a back issue that has been a progressive thing that started early in the offseason, but has been something that has progressed. We recently made the evaluation that he’s going to have a procedure on his back (Tuesday). Miss some training camp time, but if all goes according to plan, he should be ready for the start of the regular season.Head coach Frank Reich (via Mike Wells of ESPN)"

There’s obviously a long way to go between now and September 11 when the Colts visit the Houston Texans. It goes without saying that having a healthy Leonard is key to the team’s defensive success. Bradley has big shoes to fill in Matt Eberflus. And that task would be a little more difficult if the three-time All-Pro misses any unexpected time during the regular season.

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