Colts LB Shaquille Leonard is dealing with more than a concussion

INDIANAPOLIS — Shaquille Leonard will not play against the Broncos on Thursday as the Colts work through a short week before a road trip to Denver, but he's also dealing with more than originally known.

The Colts All-Pro linebacker broke his nose on the play that gave him a brain injury in Sunday's loss to the Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. He took a friendly fire shot from Zaire Franklin while guarding a route into the end zone, and immediately blood started pouring out of his nose.

He's now in the league's concussion protocol. The Colts are waiting to see whether the broken nose could lengthen his absence.

More:Frank Reich's Colts have gone from 1 of NFL's best 1st-quarter teams to 1 of its worst

"He definitely has a fracture there as well," Colts coach Frank Reich said. "We need to do some further testing. We have to wait for the swelling to go down to get a more accurate feel for if that's going to come into play."

The Colts had a walkthrough practice Tuesday and will play Thursday in Denver. With Leonard out, Franklin and Bobby Okereke will start as the top two linebackers.

The Colts will have the equivalent of a mini bye week where they won't play again until the following Sunday.

Once the swelling goes down in the nose, the Colts can evaluate what the next steps are with Leonard. They have not ruled out placing him on short-term injured reserve, which would keep him out for at least four games — and off the practice field for four weeks — but would open up a roster spot and give him time to heal without the pressure of playing.

Leonard has played in just one game this season, coming Sunday, after he underwent surgery in June to correct a nerve issue in his back that had been shooting pain into his calf and ankle. The last time he was healthy and playing games, Leonard led the NFL with 15 forced turnovers last season and was an All-Pro for the third time in his four-year career.

More:The latest update on Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and his status vs. Broncos

"I just love this guy. He's the heart and soul of who we are," Reich said. "I feel terrible for him."

"The team's success means so much to him. That's what I've come to appreciate about him, the more and more that he's been here. It's not just about Shaq the All-Pro, greatest linebacker, takeaway machine. It's not just about that. It's about the team."

Contact Colts insider Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts: Shaquille Leonard has a broken nose and a concussion