Deane Leonard Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Raiders vs Chargers game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 9, 2025
Ready to go for SNF
Leonard (knee) is active for Sunday night's contest against the Steelers.
ANALYSIS
Leonard will make his regular-season debut after missing the entirety of the campaign to this point while on injured reserve with a knee injury. He'll slot in as a top reserve option behind Donte Jackson and Cam Hart at cornerback versus Pittsburgh.
Nov 8, 2025
Activated off IR
The Chargers activated Leonard (knee) off injured reserve Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Leonard has been on injured reserve since August but is now closer to making his return. If the 25-year-old is able to suit up for Sunday's matchup versus the Steelers, he should serve as one of the team's depth cornerbacks.
Oct 28, 2025
Designated for return from IR
The Chargers designated Leonard (leg) for return from injured reserve Tuesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The move opens Leonard's 21-day practice window. He's yet to appear in a game this season after being injured during the preseason. Tarheeb Still (knee), Cam Hart, Benjamin St-Juste and Donte Jackson have been handling the bulk of the cornerback duties for Los Angeles through eight weeks.
Aug 27, 2025
Placed on IR, designated to return
Leonard (leg) was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Leonard suffered a leg injury in the Chargers' second preseason contest Aug. 10, and he will now be forced to miss at least four contests to open the 2025 season. In his absence, Benjamin St-Juste and Nikko Reed stand to see an increase in reps at cornerback with Los Angeles.
Aug 10, 2025
Suffers leg injury
Leonard exited Sunday's preseason game against the Saints with an apparent leg injury and did not return, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Leonard was helped off the field by the Chargers' training staff after playing 21 defensive snaps. He's in the mix to land one of the top reserve jobs in Los Angeles' secondary, as long as his injury isn't severe. Leonard appeared in 10 regular-season contests last season, logging eight tackles (six solo) and three pass breakups.
Nov 25, 2024
Good to go Monday vs. Baltimore
Leonard (hamstring) is active for Monday's game against the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
After missing the Chargers' last five games due to a hamstring injury, Leonard was activated off injured reserve and will play Monday. The 2022 seventh-round pick has played in just four regular-season games and has logged four tackles (three solo) and one pass defensed.
Nov 25, 2024
Activated Monday
The Chargers activated Leonard (hamstring) off injured reserve Monday.
ANALYSIS
The third-year corner from Ole Miss practiced in full all week and has now been added to the Chargers' active roster, suggesting that he'll play in his first game in five weeks on Monday night against the Ravens. Expect Leonard to serve as a depth piece in the Chargers' secondary while also contributing on special teams as the season progresses.
Nov 13, 2024
Practice window opens
Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that Leonard's (hamstring) 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Leonard logged a limited practice session Wednesday following his designation to return from injured reserve, suggesting he could see the field as soon as the Chargers' Week 11 matchup against the Bengals. However, the third-year pro from Ole Miss must still be activated to the Chargers' active roster in order to play Sunday. If Leonard remains out in Week 11, expect Tarheeb Still to continue seeing increased reps with Los Angeles' first-team secondary.
Oct 21, 2024
Moves to IR
Leonard (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Leonard has dealt with the injury for multiple weeks now and was already ruled out for Monday's game against the Cardinals. His placement on injured reserve will now guarantee he'll miss at least the next four games and will be eligible to return Nov. 17 against the Bengals.
Oct 19, 2024
Won't play vs. Arizona
Leonard (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Cardinals.
ANALYSIS
Leonard has not been able to practice this week due to a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 6 against the Broncos. The Chargers enter Monday's game with a banged up secondary as Ja'Sir Taylor (leg) and Kristian Fulton (hamstring) are both listed as questionable. Leonard's next chance at suiting up will be Week 8 against the Saints on Oct. 27.
Oct 18, 2024
In jeopardy of missing Week 7
Leonard (hamstring) was listed as a DNP on the Chargers' injury report Friday.
ANALYSIS
Leonard has logged back-to-back DNPs this week due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 6 against the Broncos. He's at risk of missing his second regular-season game of the year unless he's able to practice in at least a limited capacity Saturday. Leonard has primarily operated on special teams and has logged four tackles (three solo) and one pass breakup across four regular-season games.
Oct 13, 2024
Will not return
Leonard (hamstring) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Leonard suited up in Week 6 despite his questionable designation due to the same injury, but ultimately it appears he wasn't healthy enough to play. The 24-year-old will try to return in Week 7 against the Cardinals.
Oct 13, 2024
Leaves game early
Leonard (hamstring) has exited Sunday's game against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Leonard was questionable for Sunday's game with the same injury, but ultimately suited up. However, it appears the Ole Miss product aggravated the injury and is now questionable to return.
Oct 13, 2024
Suiting up
Leonard (hamstring) is active Sunday against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Leonard hasn't played since Week 3, but he'll get back on the field for Week 6. The Ole Miss product typically doesn't see much action on defense, but with Ja'Sir Taylor (leg) out, he could have a path to seeing an uptick in work.
Oct 11, 2024
Questionable ahead of Sunday
Leonard (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Leonard hasn't played since Week 3, but he could finally see his return as the Chargers travel to Denver. The 6-foot cornerback likely won't play much defense if he's active, as he's served most of his field time on special teams when he's been healthy this year.
Oct 9, 2024
Doesn't practice Wednesday
Leonard (hamstring) was listed as a DNP for Wednesday's practice report.
ANALYSIS
Leonard was unable to play in Week 4 against the Chiefs due to a hamstring injury. Despite Los Angeles coming off a bye, it appears the 2022 seventh-round pick is still working through the injury. He'll have two more chances to practice in some capacity ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Sep 29, 2024
Not playing vs. Kansas City
Leonard (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
Leonard popped up on the Chargers' injury report Friday with a hamstring issue, and the injury appears severe enough for him not to play Sunday. With nickel corner Ja'Sir Taylor (leg) also not playing, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart will see more snaps at corner behind starters Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel.
Dec 31, 2023
Returning to action
Leonard (heel) is active Sunday against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Leonard will return after a three-game absence, which should be a boost to the Chargers' secondary. He'll likely get the nod as the team's predominant corner opposite Assante Samuel against Denver.
Dec 29, 2023
Could return Week 17
Leonard (heel) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Leonard had missed the Chargers last three games with this heel issue, but after a week of limited practice sessions, he's got a shot at suiting up Sunday. If the second-year corner were to miss his fourth game in a row in Week 17, both Ja'Sir Taylor and Essang Bassey would likely see increased opportunities in Los Angeles' secondary.
Dec 27, 2023
Limited at practice
Leonard (heel) was considered a limited participant at the Chargers' practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Leonard missed Saturday's 24-22 loss to the Bills due to what was considered an ankle injury, which now appears to be classified as a heel issue to open Week 17. The cornerback will look to increase his workload at practice before the end of the week in order to return to the field Sunday versus the Broncos.
Dec 23, 2023
Unable to play Saturday
Leonard (ankle) will not play Saturday against the Bills.
ANALYSIS
Leonard was listed as doubtful heading into the contest, so this isn't surprising. Ja'Sir Taylor and Michael Davis will fill in as the outside corners in replace of Leonard with Asante Samuel likely shifting intermittently between the outside and the slt.
Dec 21, 2023
Doubtful for Saturday vs. Bills
Leonard (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game versus the Bills.
ANALYSIS
It looks like Leonard will probably miss his third straight game in Week 16 due to an ankle injury. In that case, Michael Davis projects to make another start at cornerback versus Buffalo.
Dec 13, 2023
Unavailable for Week 15
Leonard (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup with the Raiders.
ANALYSIS
Leonard will miss a second game in a row while nursing an ankle injury. In his absence, Michael Davis will likely draw another start at cornerback when the team takes on Las Vegas.
Dec 8, 2023
Officially out vs. Denver
Leonard (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Leonard did not practice this week after playing every single snap in last Sunday's win over the Patriots. He missed three games earlier in the season with a hamstring issue. Head coach Brandon Staley noted Friday that Michael Davis will start Sunday for Leonard, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.
Nov 28, 2023
Logs career high in tackles
Leonard recorded seven tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 20-10 loss versus the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
That Leonard posted a career high in tackles is not totally surprising given he also played a career-high 69 defensive snaps in Week 12. The Chargers have been flailing on defense this season, especially when it comes to trying to stop the pass, so betting on any Chargers corner not named Asante Samuel to provide consistent, solid reps seems less than wise at this point.
Oct 29, 2023
Set to return for Week 8
Leonard (hamstring) is active for Sunday night's game against the Bears.
ANALYSIS
Leonard was a limited participant in all three practices this week and will return for the first time in three games. He played exclusively on special teams in the first three games of the season and will likely resume that role against the Bears on Sunday night.
Oct 27, 2023
Chance to play Sunday
Leonard (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.
ANALYSIS
The second-year cornerback out of Ole Miss has a chance to play this weekend after logging limited practice sessions throughout the week. Leonard has yet to record a defensive snap for the Chargers this season, playing primarily on special teams.
Oct 25, 2023
Limited in practice
Leonard (hamstring) was a limited participant in the Chargers' practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Leonard is now one step closer to returning after missing the past three games with a hamstring injury. The 2022 seventh-round pick has seen all his playing this season come on special teams and will look to be good to go for Sunday's matchup with the Bears.
Oct 20, 2023
Won't play at Kansas City
Leonard (hamstring) is listed as out for Sunday's game at the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
Leonard will sit out for a third straight game as he recovers from a hamstring injury. He's played exclusively on special teams in the three games he's been active in 2023, so the Chargers will need to continue to try to replace his production in that phase.
Oct 16, 2023
Inactive Monday
Leonard (hamstring) is inactive for the Chargers' matchup with the Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
ANALYSIS
Leonard will miss a second game in a row as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury, even after the team's bye week. The cornerback has yet to play a defensive snap this season, so his absence will only impact the special-teams unit versus Dallas.
Oct 1, 2023
Won't suit up Sunday
Leonard (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Raiders.
ANALYSIS
As expected, Leonard won't be available after being listed as doubtful. J.C. Jackson, who was a healthy scratch last week, will be available as a depth option behind Michael Davis and Asante Samuel.
Sep 29, 2023
Doubtful Sunday
Leonard (hamstring) is listed as doubtful going into Sunday's game against Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Leonard has appeared in all three games for Los Angeles thus far, playing primarily on special teams and failing to record a stat. If the second-year cornerback is unable to go, J.C. Jackson will likely be active to ensure depth in the Chargers secondary.
Sep 8, 2022
Ready for Sunday
Leonard (hamstring) is not on the Chargers' injury report Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Leonard had missed time earlier in camp with the injury. However, it appears he'll be ready to take the field Sunday against the Raiders. The rookie likely be helping out on special teams, while also providing depth in the secondary.
Aug 22, 2022
Likely will miss Friday
Leonard (hamstring) is expected to be out Friday against the Saints, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Leonard was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 Draft and figures to be competing for a depth spot in the Chargers' secondary. He did record three tackles (one solo) in the teams preseason loss to the Rams on Aug. 13, although the missed time may impact his chances of making the squad.
Apr 30, 2022
Drafted by Los Angeles
The Chargers selected Leonard in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 236th overall.
ANALYSIS
Leonard posted a 4.37 40-yard dash, but his short-end speed lagged behind a number of other draftable secondary pieces. The Ole Miss product could be an excellent special teams gunner for a Chargers special teams unit that struggled at times throughout 2021.
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