Colts’ QB Disaster Deepens with Riley Leonard’s Knee Harm

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Riley Leonard, who changed injured starter Daniel Jones after his season-ending Achilles tear on Sunday, is now coping with an harm of his personal.

Coach Shane Steichen stated Leonard, a sixth-round choose from Notre Dame, reported an unspecified knee difficulty to the workforce’s medical workers Monday morning. The workforce, Steichen stated, is “working by means of that proper now.”

Requested whether or not Leonard was anticipated to play on Sunday, when the Colts go to the Seattle Seahawks, Steichen stated, “That is the hope. We’ll see the way it goes.”

Steichen supplied no particulars on the character of Leonard’s harm or its severity. Leonard didn’t point out he had sustained an harm throughout his time on the sector Sunday. He completed the sport after coming into on the ultimate play of the primary quarter, finishing 18 of 29 go makes an attempt for 145 yards and one interception.

Leonard has served because the Colts’ major backup since former starter Anthony Richardson Sr. landed on injured reserve in October following a freak pregame incident involving stretching bands that left with him with a facial fracture. Richardson has not but been cleared to return, however the Colts haven’t closed the door on that concept.

The Colts are extensively anticipated to make a minimum of one quarterback transaction this week, if no more, relying on Leonard’s standing. Leonard is the one wholesome quarterback on the energetic roster. Indianapolis does have journeyman Brett Rypien on its observe squad, and a promotion to the energetic roster might be in line for him.

In the meantime, Steichen confirmed Jones’ proper torn Achilles, saying he was scheduled for surgical procedure later this week.

“Simply very unlucky,” Steichen stated. “One of many hardest guys I’ve ever been round.” Jones is scheduled to hit free company in March when his one-year contract expires. The Colts had already been plotting a plan to retain him, however the harm and its lengthy restoration timeline may have a serious influence on these plans.

Additionally of notice, Steichen stated, is that cornerback Charvarius Ward was positioned in concussion protocol Monday after experiencing signs.

If Ward is definitely identified with a concussion, it will be his third of the season and would increase considerations given the severity of his final head harm. Ward was injured in an unintentional collision with tight finish Drew Ogletree in October throughout warmups earlier than a recreation towards the Arizona Cardinals. The influence of the hit, which blindsided Ward, precipitated him to lose consciousness, Ward stated in a current interview.

He added that his signs lingered for weeks, leaving Ward to ponder whether or not he would proceed taking part in soccer.

“I used to be getting dizzy for rattling close to a month,” Ward stated. He later stated, “I used to be sort of doubting if I used to be going to play soccer once more. It was that scary.”

Ward’s harm compounds an present downside at cornerback the place the Colts are already lacking two-time All-Professional Sauce Gardner due to a calf harm that’s anticipated to sideline him a number of weeks.