Injuries can take quite a toll on great NFL players. The fact that they have been inactive for such a long time puts doubt in their heads. Living back up to their former All-Pro self can also place a lot of pressure and anxiety on most people. This is precisely what Indiana Colts' Shaquille Leonard felt before entering NFL Training Camp.
The 6-foot-2 linebacker for the Colts is back in action. He was seen performing full practice drills during the NFL Training Camp. Shaquille Leonard felt like he really needed the training for a confidence boost because of only being able to play three games last season, per Stephen Holder of ESPN.
“Today was the best I've felt in a long time. So I'm happy with it,” he said.
He also added how much his willingness to play surfaced during the whole of last season.
Article Continues Below“I felt like last year, I was just so eager to get back out there, and I feel like I hurt myself again. That's why I had the second surgery in November. So, [I'm] learning from that and learning how to take it slow,” the All-Pro linebacker said.
Now, his feelings of eagerness have been replaced with anxiety but it is the good kind.
“I was nervous. I felt like this was a game day for me. First time in a while — no sleep last night, jitterbugs all morning. I probably didn't truly feel like myself until after individual [drills]. I was just so nervous. And after that, it just felt like where I just left off at, just coming in and being a leader for this team and just being able to run around, hopefully, make some plays,” he concluded.
Will he make a case for a comeback?