Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard (53) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Shaquille Leonard was a surprising immediate hit with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018.

His departure Tuesday was every bit as shocking.

Indy waived the three-time All-Pro linebacker after he complained publicly about decreased playing time this season as the Colts prepare to face Tampa Bay following a bye week. Leonard initially responded to the move with a social media post thanking Colts fans.

“It was the biggest surprise ever,” Leonard told reporters during a previously scheduled Thanksgiving giveaway event. “It was shocking. I asked for a November meeting, guess I got a November meeting. I guess you better be careful what you ask for. They came up to me after team photos, we had team photos Monday and (defensive coordinator) Gus (Bradley) walked up to me and said ‘Hey, let’s go have that November meeting that you’ve been wanting’ Then when I got there it wasn’t what I wanted to hear.

“Walking away with seven games left, it hurts. It hurts.”

The 28-year-old Leonard provided many memories for the Colts (5-5), too

The second-round draft pick quickly won the hearts and minds of fans and teammates with his playmaking skills, his patented punch to jar footballs loose, his unending energy and the fighting spirit of an underdog who faced every challenge head on.

Some draft analysts thought Indy “reached” by taking Leonard with the 36th overall draft pick in 2018. Leonard took offense and wound up leading the league with a franchise-record 163 tackles. He won the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2018.

Leonard joined left guard Quenton Nelson as the first rookie teammates to be selected first team All-Pros since Hall of Famers Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers (Bears) in 1965.

It was only the start.

Leonard made three All-Pro teams and three Pro Bowls in his first four seasons, becoming one of the league’s most feared defenders. He was rewarded in 2021 with a five-year contract extension worth $99.25 million, which made him the NFL’s highest-paid off-the-ball linebacker.