Shaquille Leonard Injury: Back Rehab Leaves Star LB Out Week 1

The Colts ruled out all-pro linebacker and team captain Shaquille Leonard for Week 1 against the Texans as he continues recovering from early-June back surgery.

Shaquille Leonard Injury Update

It was unreasonable to expect him to be ready for Week 1, the Docs said, because of the truncated three-month recovery period leaving little time to prepare without limitations.

The Docs believe that the surgery was likely to repair a disc issue and project Leonard will return sometime early in the season. 

With an SIC score of 70, the fifth-year backer is still likely to be effective but not until later in the season. 

Leonard was a full participant at practice Wednesday but regressed every day before he was officially ruled out on Friday. 

The 27-year-old said this week that he has been dealing with chronic pain since Week 4 of his rookie season, as reported by The Athletic's Zak Keefer.