ESPN’s Mike Wells reports that Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard will have back surgery, but Leonard is expected to be back at some point during training camp.
The linebacker himself tweeted that the surgery has already been completed.
“Surgery went well, feeling amazing and ready to get back going!” Leonard tweeted. “If you know me you know I always come back way better than I was! Let’s go man ankle feels amazing and can’t wait to get back moving!”
As Leonard noted, he’s been struggling with an ankle injury throughout the spring that has prevented him from participating in offseason workouts. This was the same ankle that Leonard got operated on last offseason, a surgery that forced him to miss time during training camp and hampered him for much of the 2021 campaign.
Leonard has also been dealing with a back ailment since his season came to an end, and he ultimately decided to get an operation. Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star writes that the surgery will force Leonard to miss “at least part” of training camp, but the veteran’s absence isn’t expected to extend into the regular season.
While Leonard dealt with injuries throughout last year, he still proved why he’s one of the best linebackers in the NFL, finishing with 122 tackles, four interceptions and a league-leading eight forced fumbles. The performance earned him an All-Pro nod. The 26-year-old inked a five-year, $99.25M extension (including $52.5M guaranteed) with the Colts last offseason.
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