What to make of the Shaq Leonard health drama for Titans-Colts
The Tennessee Titans (1-2) are set to head to Indy this weekend for a must-win rivalry game against the Indianapolis Colts (1-1-1). While these two teams always see their fair share of each other, this year, there will be plenty of new faces on both sidelines. If the Titans are lucky, some faces will stay […]
The Tennessee Titans (1-2) are set to head to Indy this weekend for a must-win rivalry game against the Indianapolis Colts (1-1-1).
While these two teams always see their fair share of each other, this year, there will be plenty of new faces on both sidelines. If the Titans are lucky, some faces will stay on the sideline throughout the game.
When Tennessee takes the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon, star LB Shaquille Leonard may or may not be in uniform for the Colts.
Leonard has been dealing with a back surgery that has kept him from playing in each of the Colts' first three games, and throughout the start of the season, his status has remained rather cryptic.
Despite being a full participant at Colts practice for weeks now, Leonard has yet to make his debut in a game, leading fans to question if he even wants to be out there.
Leonard responded to that social media chatter earlier this week (THREAD):
Colts fans are upset and confused, and who could blame them? From the outside looking in, it seems like Leonard is healthy enough to play. If you can practice fully, you should be out on the field for your team.
But there's a lot more to it than that.
George Bremer, an Indianapolis Colts beat writer and sports editor for The Herald Bulletin, joined Nashville radio's Blaine and Mickey on 104.5 The Zone to discuss Leonard's status and the impending matchup between the Titans and Colts.
According to Bremer, the Colts have been concerned with Leonard's movement and ability to play to the same level as he did before the injury.
"Right now, they feel like his movement isn't where they want it to be," Bremer said. "They've been watching tape from last year and comparing it to practice, and he needs to hit a certain benchmark before they send him out there on game day."
As for when he will hit that benchmark?
"It could be this week, it could be three weeks from now," Bremer said.
Titans Game Plan
Leonard's availability likely won't affect the Titans game plan as they head into Indy this weekend. It just may affect the Colts' ability to stop it.
The Titans want to run the football. That is the foundation they have built this roster on and the identity that have established for themselves as a team. As Derrick Henry goes, so do the Titans, and they won't be steering away from that anytime soon.
Not even against a Colts defense that is the best in the NFL in rush yards per play.
Zaire Franklin has done a more than adequate job of filling in for Leonard, and Grover Stewart is a game wrecking nose tackle that can make the game messy between the tackles. If DeForest Buckner plays, that will only add to the dominance up front from the Indy rush defense.
The key for the Titans is going to be getting Derrick Henry the ball in space. Use him as a pass catcher just like you did against the Raiders. If Leonard's not out there, toss plays actually may not be the worst idea this week.
The Colts won't allow you to run the ball up the gut, and we know the Titans offense needs to run the ball with success to have a productive offense.
The burden will now be on Todd Downing and the Titans coaching staff to draw up some run plays that allow them to get creative with how they get 22 the ball.
Image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
