Who’s to blame for Andrew Luck’s injuries?

It didn’t take long for people to start attributing blame for the beating that Andrew Luck has suffered in 2015. His list of injuries continues to grow this season, but should anyone really be pointing a finger or is there blame to spread around?

Let’s start by first saying that Luck isn’t going anywhere. He’s under contract through 2016 and if they can’t work out a deal, the Colts can always use the franchise tag. The Colts hold all the cards in this relationship and the most Luck can reasonably do is makes suggestions during negotiations for his next contract, the same contract that will make him the highest paid player in the NFL. If he really wants to stick it to Jim Irsay, he’ll demand more guaranteed money.

There is also a very real chance that Luck won’t be dealing with GM Ryan Grigson or coach Chuck Pagano after this season. It looks like Irsay will clean house, and these injuries to Luck are another indictment of the poor team building and coaching job those two have done.

But simply put, he isn’t leaving Indianapolis.

After hearing that Luck could be out for 2-6 week (and it now sounds like it will be at least a month), many were quick to blame the offensive line for not protecting him adequately. But that ignores the fact that the injury came on a run play at the start of the fourth quarter. And yes, they know exactly when it happened because Luck probably said “hey, that hit really, really hurt” but he finished the game because of his unreal level of toughness (and adrenaline, which does some cool stuff with pain management).

After hearing that Luck’s injury came on a run play, people have noted that the pocket isn’t a safe place for him to be and of course he’s going to run away. At times this has been true, but not on this specific play where his receiving options were well covered and he had space to run instead of taking a sack.

On second-and-nine, Luck chose to take a big hit from linebacker Danny Trevathan that drove him to the ground and let another Denver defender spear him in the back. As soon as Luck leaves the pocket, he has a responsibility to protect himself and he decided not to slide. On third down, I could see trying to spin out of a hit but there was no chance of making a first down he could have easily slid knowing they had another down to try and score.

But that also doesn’t account for the dozen hits Luck took on Sunday. Or the hundreds of others he’s taken over the past three and a half seasons. He’s already dealt with a shoulder injury and unconfirmed rib fractures this season. Frankly, this was bound to happen at some point due to the poor offensive line play and Luck’s inability to protect himself.

The Colts have used six draft picks on offensive linemen since 2012. They have also signed five free agents who have made an impact (good or bad) on the line as well as signing a few undrafted players. The problem is just two of those moves have actually worked out, and a third was benched for unknown reasons. Jack Mewhort has been a very good left guard in his two seasons while Joe Reitz is doing a good job at right tackle. A.Q. Shipley was playing extremely well at center through four games last season, was benched, and now is with the Cardinals.

The point is that while GM Grigson hasn’t fixed the line, he hasn’t exactly ignored it either. The overwhelming majority of his moves just haven’t worked out (and not just with the offensive line, although his batting average here is much worse). But he’s also forced starting lineups that simply don’t work.

Here’s the problem with trying to blame one person or another: it only takes one play to get hurt.

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Look at the Cowboys, they have possibly the best offensive line in football and

has been out with a broken collarbone for most of the season. The Steelers are another team with a good line, but

is about to be out with a foot injury due to taking another awkward hit. Roethlisberger does have a tendency to hold the ball too long and it results in him taking some big shots, not unlike Luck.

The flip side is the Patriots, who have played musical chairs along the offensive line this season but because Tom Brady gets the ball out so quickly it largely doesn’t matter. Quarterbacks can do a lot to help protect themselves with quick decision making. Peyton Manning hasn’t always had a great line, but is generally near the top of the league in fewest sacks taking because of his quick strikes.

The Colts need to do a better job of protecting Andrew Luck.

Andrew Luck needs to do a better job of protecting himself.

Both of these statements are true.