December 04, 2023
Former Indianapolis Colts LB Shaquille Leonard has agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced on Monday.
Leonard was a Colts second-round pick in 2018. In his rookie season, he led the NFL with 163 tackles, and also had 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 INTs, and 8 pass breakups on his way to earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-Pro honors. He was also an All-Pro in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
In 2022, he had two surgeries on his back, and only played in 3 games. In 2023, Leonard was unhappy with his diminished role, and was released by the Colts. He made 65 tackles in 9 games, but was not the elite player he once was.
The Eagles are in desperate need of help at linebacker:
• Nakobe Dean is on IR.
• Zach Cunningham, who has been the Eagles' best linebacker so far this season, is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, and he missed the Eagles' matchup against the 49ers on Sunday.
• Nicholas Morrow got absolutely cooked in the passing game on Sunday against the 49ers.
Earlier this season, CB Bradley Roby and S Kevin Byard were ready to play very quickly after signing with the Eagles, so there's a decent chance that Leonard will be ready to play against the Cowboys next Sunday night in Dallas.
Follow Jimmy & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @JimmyKempski | thePhillyVoice
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice Sports
Add Jimmy's RSS feed to your feed reader