On Sunday night against Dallas, the Eagles (10-2) who are the reigning NFC champions, should have Leonard available to play.
After being dismissed by the Colts in the latter part of last month, Leonard had visits with the Eagles and Cowboys.
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He openly voiced his displeasure over the Colts’ reduced playing time this season. He might have a big influence right away on an Eagles club looking to win the Super Bowl again.
Although injuries have slowed Leonard, he should still be able to help the Eagles defence, which has struggled over the last two weeks, including a humiliating loss to San Francisco on Sunday.In Week 12, the 49ers defeated the Bills with over 500 yards and touchdowns on six consecutive possessions.
With veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham missing Sunday’s NFC championship rematch defeat due to a hamstring injury and Nakobe Dean going on injured reserve for the second time this season, the Eagles are in serious need of help at linebacker.
In 2018, Leonard was selected by Indianapolis with the 36th overall draft pick. With a franchise-high 163 tackles, Leonard led the league in tackles. In 2018, he was named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
When Leonard was a Colt, Nick Sirianni, the coach of the Eagles, oversaw the offensive scheme.
Sirianni remarked, “He had a flair for the football and how to get the football.” “As an offensive coordinator, I recall how difficult it was to throw him around.” His stature was similar to Syracuse’s 2-3 zone under Jim Boeheim. He’ll try anything in the passing lane.
Leonard became the first rookie teammates to be chosen for the first team All-Pros since Hall of Famers Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers (Bears) in 1965, together with left guard Quenton Nelson.
That was just the beginning.
In his first four seasons, Leonard made three All-Pro teams and three Pro Bowls, establishing himself as one of the league’s most formidable defenders.
In 2021, he was rewarded with a $99.25 million contract extension that lasted five years, making him the highest paid linebacker in the NFL off the field. His ability to pursue opponents and his tendency to force turnovers were his most well-known traits.
In 2021, he led the league in forced fumbles (eight), yet despite his outward appearance, he was in pain. Before the 2022 season, Leonard had back surgery after it was discovered that he had sustained a nerve injury while playing through severe leg discomfort.
In addition to missing the first three games of Indianapolis, Leonard was involved in a hard collision with teammate Zaire Franklin in his season debut that resulted in a concussion and a fractured nose. After missing two more games, Leonard made a comeback and underwent season-ending back surgery to replace the damaged nerve.
He later acknowledged that he returned too soon, so this season Indianapolis took it cautious.
In his five and a half seasons with the Colts, Leonard racked up 614 tackles, 32 for loss, 31 passes defensed, 17 forced fumbles, 15 sacks, 12 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. He played in nine games this year and totaled 65 tackles, but he had no interceptions, forced fumbles, sacks, or fumble recoveries.
Leonard was the team’s 2022 nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, had earned Indianapolis’ Ed Block Courage Award the previous year, and was a fervent advocate of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Leonard was a graduate of South Carolina State.
Sirianni remarked, “I truly enjoyed being around him and he was a fantastic colleague.” “My relationship with him is still ongoing. The big issue, as I mentioned, was the ball and the length that came to mind with that. I think he is a fantastic guy and a great teammate.”
