Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys hosted free agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard at The Star on Tuesday before he moved on to his next scheduled stop: Philadelphia.
Jones said Tuesday morning on his weekly spot with 105.3 FM The Fan that Leonard was in Dallas and a review of his medical history was underway with a lunch planned to discuss signing the free agent.
Leonard was waived by the Indianapolis Colts two days before Thanksgiving after starting nine games this season, but a team physical and medical signoff are significant steps to bringing him on board.
Leonard left Dallas early in the afternoon on Tuesday and multiple reports said he’d make a stop to visit the Eagles this week.
Injuries limited him to three games in 2022. He had season-ending back surgery last November.
Philadelphia (10-1) pursued Leonard almost immediately with injuries at the position and a history between the 28-year-old and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni from his time in Indianapolis. But Leonard was in Dallas first on Tuesday.
Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is on injured reserve with a neck injury and out for the season, Jones confirmed on Nov. 14.
Eagles middle linebacker Nakobe Dean is on injured reserve and Zach Cunningham (hamstring) underwent testing to determine the severity of his injury this week. Christian Elliss replaced Cunningham against Buffalo on Sunday.
Leonard became the highest-paid linebacker in the league in August 2021 when he signed a five-year, $98.5 million extension. The Colts are on the hook for nearly $27 million in dead-cap money.
A three-time All-Pro, Leonard has totaled 614 tackles, 17 forced fumbles, 15 sacks and 12 interceptions in 70 games (68 starts) since Indianapolis drafted him in the second round in 2018.
