If he avoids the injury bug, the Indianapolis Colts’ Shaquille Leonard could win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors this season. Several candidates will compete for the award but Leonard is well placed currently.
Leonard was not healthy last season, appearing in just three games for the Colts. However, the linebacker is back and ready to boost the team’s defense every Sunday in 2023. During Indianapolis’ Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Leonard recorded eight total tackles, including one for a loss.
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Shaquille Leonard Could Win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2023
Shaquille Leonard’s Career to Date
Leonard won the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Defensive Player of the Year award twice at South Carolina State. The Colts subsequently selected him in the second round (36th overall pick) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
The “Maniac” went on to have an incredible rookie season. He came up with 163 combined tackles (led the league), seven sacks, eight pass deflections, and two interceptions. As a result, he was named a First-Team All-Pro and won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He also helped Andrew Luck and the Colts reach the playoffs that season.
Leonard instantly became one of the league’s top linebackers. The South Carolina native made the Pro Bowl three consecutive years from 2019-2021. Leonard also had a league-leading eight forced fumbles in 2021.
2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award Candidates
Damar Hamlin has a great chance to win Comeback Player of the Year. The Buffalo Bills safety suffered cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a game last January. He is back with the Bills this season although he did not play in Week 1.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford could be another candidate to win the award. The former first overall pick led the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl victory two seasons ago but played only nine games in 2022 due to injury.
New York Jets running back Breece Hall is another notable name. He was possibly headed for Rookie of the Year honors last year before tearing his ACL and meniscus. Hall is off to an amazing start this season, rushing for 127 yards during a Week 1 win over the Bills.
How Shaquille Leonard can win the Award
The Comeback Player of the Year award is often given to an offensive player. A quarterback has won in each of the past five years. The last defensive player to win it was safety Eric Berry back in 2015.
Yet, Leonard cannot be ignored this season. He has a realistic chance if he can stay healthy and get anywhere close to his 2021 form. That year, he recorded 122 combined tackles, including four for loss.
The Colts will have an interesting offense with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor (if he is not traded) leading the way. On the other side of the ball, the Colts can sport one of the league’s top defenses if Leonard can produce at a high level. He will be accompanied by the likes of fellow Pro Bowlers DeForest Buckner and Kenny Moore II.
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