Quarterback Riley Leonard could be dealing with a shoulder injury after Northern Illinois loss

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind – Leonard not listed on the injury report but after replaying the week 2 loss, many believe his status is in the air against Purdue.

Although Marcus Freeman mentioned it in his Monday press conference and Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock didn't add any further details Tuesday, there is speculation that Riley Leonard may have injured his non-throwing shoulder after being sacked in the final minute of the second quarter.

"He was bright eyed. He was communicating very well. You know, he was in a position where he was ready to go and willing to go and ready to attack and do the things that he could do. So that's, that's how we went with it," Denbrock said.

After being sacked, Leonard didn't run the ball the rest of the game. Finishing with 11 rushing attempts for 16 yards. One week after successfully rushing for 63 yards versus Texas A&M. Even though he's still listed as the starter against Purdue, you can't help but raise an eyebrow at the decision for the dual-threat QB to not use his legs.

"There's in game adjustments that happen all the time, whether that's what the defense is doing, whether that's what we're not doing well, whether they're taking certain things away from us, all those things go into consideration. And I wouldn't say that that was a main consideration of what, what may have changed in some people's perception, the play calling in the second half," Denbrock added.

As for how he looks in practice three days after the game, his teammates seem to think he's the same.

"He's always a positive guy. He's always, you know, high spirited, always fun to be around, and especially, even though, when things aren't really clicking, it's like what we'd like him, he's still, you know, keeping his head up. He's still being a leader. And, you know, we're always trying to communicate to how do we can improve. And today we're all we are firing on all cylinders. So, I'm just using that for motivation for this week," Tight End Mitchell Evans said.