Colts general manager Chris Ballard announced that running back Marlon Mack underwent shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Normally when Colts fans are discussing shoulder injuries they’re talking about Andrew Luck’s recovery.
However, promising second year running back Marlon Mack is having some shoulder issues of his own as Chris Ballard revealed he was playing with a torn labrum during the entirety of his rookie season.
The shoulder injury, combined with a struggling offensive line, could explain why Mack didn’t get as much playing time as he could have and only averaged 3.8 yards per carry.
With Frank Gore moving on from Indianapolis, Mack is expected to take on a larger role in the Colts’ backfield next season.
Chris Ballard has added some depth to the backfield by drafting two running backs in the middle rounds last weekend (Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines), and Robert Turbin is expected to make his return in 2018 from an arm injury that ended his season last year.
Most Colts fans knew that Ballard would target a running back in this year’s draft, but selecting two of them could show that he’s not entirely confident in Mack’s health moving forward.
Ballard did not say when Mack’s surgery took place. But he did mention that the second year running back is expected to be ready to go once training camp rolls around even though it looks like he’ll miss OTA’s and minicamp.
This is a disappointing setback for one of the Colts’ most promising offensive weapons, but Marlon Mack should be able to get enough reps in during training camp to prepare for a breakout season in 2018.