Shaquille Leonard to retire as Colts at halftime of Week 5 vs Raiders

Shaquille Leonard, the former Indianapolis Colts linebacker and 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year, will formally retire as a member of the Colts at halftime of the team’s Week 5 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, the club announced Wednesday. Leonard will participate in pregame festivities, strike the Colts anvil, and hold a news conference that morning before the halftime ceremony.

A second-round pick by Indianapolis in the 2018 NFL Draft, Leonard emerged immediately as one of the league’s most productive defensive players. He led the NFL with 163 tackles as a rookie and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year and to the All-Pro first team. Over the next three seasons he earned Pro Bowl recognition and additional All-Pro honors, establishing himself as a centerpiece of the Colts defense.

Leonard’s career momentum was interrupted by injuries. He had back surgery after the 2021 season and played just three games in 2022 because of health issues. He returned in 2023 but saw reduced playing time and was released by the Colts later that season before finishing his final games with the Philadelphia Eagles. He did not sign with an NFL team in 2024 and...