Even at 8-3 and boasting one of the NFL’s best defenses, the Dallas Cowboys are still out there looking for upgrades.
Fresh off a blowout win over the Washington Commanders on Thanksgiving, Dallas is set to visit with former Indianapolis Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard this week.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero was the first to report the news. Meanwhile, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports notes that the visit should happen before Wednesday. The division-rival Philadelphia Eagles are also said to be interested in Leonard.
A three-time All-Pro during his time with the Indianapolis Colts, Leonard was waived last week after falling out of favor under first-year head coach Shane Steichen. He had seen his playing time extremely limited prior to the move.
Leonard, 28, had recorded 65 tackles in nine games (all starts) with Indianapolis prior to being waived. He had struggled in coverage, yielding a 64% completion and 94.7 QB rating when targeted this season.
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Shaquille Leonard as a fit with the Dallas Cowboys
![shaquille leonard, dallas cowboys](https://sportsnaut.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/shaquille-leonard-dallas-cowboys-21829071.jpg?w=666)
Leonard, 28, missed all but three games a season ago while dealing with a shoulder injury. It was back in 2021 that Indianapolis made him the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL, signing the former South Carolina State star to a five-year, $98.5 million contract.
While Leonard has not been the same player since undergoing back surgery ahead of last season, he’s an ideal fit for Dallas.
Fellow linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is currently on injured reserve. A converted safety, youngster Markquese Bell has been starting in his stead. The linebacker has given up an 82.6% completion and 110.5 QB rating when targeted this season. He’s a weak link on an otherwise dominant Cowboys defense.
The ‘Boys find themselves in the midst of a three-game winning streak that has seen them outscore their opponents by a combined margin of 127-37 during that span.
Even then, acquiring a reinforcement like Leonard could be big moving forward. Dallas is set to take on the Seattle Seahawks this coming Thursday night before difficult outings against the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions ahead of its season finale against Washington.