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Report: Colts Andrew Luck ‘Healthy and Ready to Go’ for this Week’s OTA’s

By Luke Schultheis

May 29, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass during organized team activities at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass during organized team activities at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is “healthy and ready to go” for this week’s OTA’s:

The young quarterback has been a little over 6 months removed from a season-ending lacerated kidney injury that he suffered in Week 9 of this past season against the Denver Broncos.

While it was widely expected that Luck was already healthy, there’s been lingering questions of whether he’s fully recovered even as recently as a month ago.

However, there were encouraging signs last week during Phase II of the team’s offseason program, as Luck was reportedly making throws during drills:

Not to mention, taking snaps from his new rookie center:

The 26 year old quarterback is looking for a bounceback season in Indianapolis, as he missed 9 games because of injuries and threw for a career low 74.9 passer rating–throwing only 15 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

May 27, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) gives instructions with his hands in drills during OTA at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) gives instructions with his hands in drills during OTA at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Of course, the Colts know that protecting their franchise player is of the utmost importance this upcoming season, as the team selected center Ryan Kelly with their 1st round pick and three other offensive lineman shortly thereafter.

While some of the blame falls squarely on Luck’s shoulders, who’s been guilty of holding onto the football too long in the pocket in the attempt of “making a play”, the Colts offensive line surrendered the 2nd most NFL QB hits at 118 total QB hits last season.

Going forward, the Colts offensive line needs to mitigate Luck’s injury risk by limiting the number of exorbitant hits he takes in the pocket, so updates like this don’t have to become a re-occurring theme.

That being said, Luck’s lacerated kidney injury actually occurred on a scramble, which means that the young quarterback needs to learn to properly slide and better protect his body as thrilling as the Charlie Whitehurst era of Colts football was.

Unfortunately, both Luck and the Colts learned the hard way last season of how important the star quarterback is to his team on the field, rather than holding a clipboard on the sidelines.

Nevertheless, it’s positive news that Luck is “healthy and ready” to go for OTA’s.

If he’s right, the Colts have a chance to make some serious noise this season, but both he and the offensive line have some work to do.

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