Stephon Gilmore on Cowboys’ interest in former teammate Shaquille Leonard: ‘Obviously a great player’

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FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are in the market for a linebacker since they have a clear depth need at that position. They lost third-round rookie DeMarvion Overshown to a torn ACL in training camp, and were left even thinner in the aftermath of losing Leighton Vander Esch for the season due to a neck injury. The Cowboys already allow only 16.8 points per game (the fourth-fewest in the NFL), but they may have lucked into a perfect opportunity to bolster their depth with the Colts waiving Shaquille Leonard on Tuesday. 

The 28-year-old earned three First-Team All-Pro selections (2018, 2020 and 2021) and three Pro Bowl selections (2019-2021) in his first four NFL seasons after being a second-round pick of the Colts in the 2018 NFL Draft out of South Carolina State. He shined immediately, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after leading the NFL in tackles with 163 in 2018. The last couple seasons haven’t been as kind to Leonard as an offseason back procedure limited his 2022 season availability to three games. He suited up for the Colts in nine games this season, but Indianapolis didn’t see enough to warrant keeping him and his five-year, $98.5 million contract extension on their roster any longer. 

Shaquille Leonard career stats

2018-2021*2022-2023

Games Played

58

12

Combined Tackles

538

76

Tackles for Loss

30

2

Forced Fumbles

17

0

Fumbles Recovered

7

0

Sacks

15.0

0.0

Interceptions111

* Only player in NFL from 2018-2021 with 300+ combined tackles, 15+ forced fumbles

Fortunately for the Cowboys, they have a personal, in-house reference for Leonard in 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Dallas acquired Gilmore in a trade with the Colts this offseason, and the 33-year-old defensive back built a strong connection with Leonard in in his one season with the former All-Pro.  

“I just kind of leave it up to them,” Gilmore said Monday when asked about…

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/stephon-gilmore-on-cowboys-interest-in-former-teammate-shaquille-leonard-obviously-a-great-player/

Author : Garrett Podell

Publish date : 2023-11-28 15:54:00

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