Jim Irsay Encouraged By Andrew Luck’s Recovery
By Andrew Ites
Owner Jim Irsay spoke to the media after Sunday’s preseason game giving a positive update on Andrew Luck’s status.
Colts fans’ heads have been spinning with conflicting reports about Andrew Luck‘s recovery from shoulder surgery all offseason long.
The Colts played their first preseason game against the Lions on Sunday, and it became apparent that the team doesn’t have any good option behind Luck at QB.
Irsay sounded optimistic about Andrew Luck being able to take the next steps in his recovery process soon.
Jim Irsay on Andrew Luck: "I would say his progression could not be better."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 13, 2017
The biggest question for Irsay was whether Luck would be ready for the Colts’ trip to Los Angeles to face the Rams in Week 1. Irsay wouldn’t guarantee that Luck would be under center for the team’s season opener, but he does think he will be ready to play near the beginning of the season.
Takeaway from our chat with Jim Irsay: Luck is throwing, wants to throw MORE, but Colts making him be patient.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 13, 2017
Another interesting nugget from Irsay’s time addressing the media was when he revealed that the Colts considered bringing in another veteran quarterback, but the price was apparently too high.
Jim Irsay talking at length rt now. Can't commit to Luck playing in opener. Considered vet QB, price was too high.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) August 13, 2017
Colts reporter Stephen Holder made it very clear that the mystery veteran QB was not Colin Kaepernick, who has been discussed as a possible emergency option if Luck has to miss a considerable amount of time.
In addition to Irsay’s words after the game, general manager Chris Ballard expressed pleasure with Luck’s progression during an appearance on the preseason game’s broadcast.
Ballard cont'd: "at any point last season." Remember, Luck played through partially torn labrum in '16. Personally, I think he's throwing.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) August 13, 2017
Luck has obviously been extremely banged up for almost all of the past two seasons, so it makes sense that the Colts’ medical staff would want to bring him along extremely slowly.
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None of the Colts’ backup quarterback options looked promising in Sunday’s preseason game. Scott Tolzien went 2/5 for 25 yards, Phillip Walker went 9/20 for 86 yards, and Stephen Morris went 13/20 for 94 yards.
It’s clear that the Colts would really struggle in the regular season if Luck starts the year on the sideline.
However, Jim Irsay and Chris Ballard sound confident that he should be back fairly soon in their most revealing comments of the year regarding Andrew Luck.