Riley Leonard had a shoulder injury, which will only make his path considerably more difficult from now on, and this has got to be said by both the fans and the experts. It is worth knowing that Leonard does not only play in the quarterback position, but he is a complete player who can create something out of nothing with forward passes and can also run the ball himself. 

Injuries are not easy to handle, especially for players such as him, because they major in mobility and strength of their muscles. Greg McElroy recently explained in a YouTube video such an injury in detail, pointing out similarities to other football players who once played with pain. “now can you play with that injury” Greg said.

In the past, quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Baker Mayfield played with shoulder injuries. Greg McElroy said, “We have seen Mitch Tris play with a hurt shoulder in his non-throwing shoulder, and we have seen Baker Mayfield suffer and still finish the year, with him, though”. As can be seen in these examples, it is quite possible to ‘play through the pain,’ but this can be quite challenging. 

One major question is how Leonard’s labrum issue will impact his ability to run the ball, which is a significant part of his game. He has over a thousand career rushing yards and 17 touchdowns; his ability to run the ball is essential. If he cannot, in any way, have his shoulder take the blows or throw, it will set a great hindrance to him at the playing arena. 

Playing through pain: lessons from the NFL

Riley Leonard’s shoulder injury had Notre Dame fans on edge, fearing the worst for their season The fear was that Leonard’s injury could hamper his two-way options, which pose a threat to the chances of the team. This is especially true since his specialty is playing the quarterback position, wherein any injury is a cause of concern as it may affect the player’s throwing ability as well as his mobility on the field. Riley Leonard has thrown for 321 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions, but his quarterback rating of 45.3 suggests he’s struggled with consistency.

But an insider, Greg McElroy has recently posted something that gives a new sign of life. The latest revelation indicates that the health of Leonard may not be as bad an omen as everyone thought it was. He can play with an injured shoulder, thus reducing the chances of any fan being anxious. That is new information that has changed the previous perception about his potential to return and make him rise again. Notre Dame had a mixed start to the season, with a 23-13 win over Texas A&M and a narrow 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois, despite solid performances from Riley Leonard and key players. People will be expecting how he will maneuver himself out of this problem.

Nevertheless, speaking about the current state of affairs, it can still be considered ambiguous. Depending on the results in future games, the possibility of playing at a higher level with the injury will remain a big question for Leonard.