Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will not get the opportunity to play in 2017 for the team that drafted him first overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. A shoulder injury sidelined Luck for the Colts offseason workout program, training camp, preseason and the first few weeks of the regular season. But he was able to return to limited practices during the first week of October. He went through individual drills and threw routes to receivers.
Just a few weeks later, Luck has not progressed as the Colts would like him to. Combining his lack of progress with Indy’s abysmal 2-6 start and the team made the decision to shut down the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback who just received a contract extension over the summer.
The team made the announcement on Thursday afternoon.
The Indianapolis Colts announced today that quarterback Andrew Luck, who underwent surgery to his throwing shoulder in January and had been trying to work his way back to the field since, will be placed on Injured Reserve, meaning he will not practice or play for the rest of the 2017 season.
Luck on Thursday told Colts.com that he’s “very optimistic” about his future, however.
“I wish I was better and 100 percent this season, but that’s not the case,” Luck said. “I know I’ll be better from this. I know I’ll be a better quarterback, teammate, person and player from this, and I’m excited for the future.”
“Andrew’s exhausted every avenue to try to get ready and get back and play, and that was our hope, also,” Ballard told the Colts’ Bob Lamey.
Head coach Chuck Pagano echoed those sentiments on Monday when asked about Luck seeking additional opinions on his shoulder.
“We’re going to exhaust all resources because the best interest is the player,” Pagano said. “It’s long-term and we said that. It’s for the next 10, 12 years for this guy and for any player. Before we put anybody out there, we’re going to make sure he’s right so we’re going to stick to that process.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Luck will not throw for one to three months but a second surgery is currently not being considered.
What #Colts QB Andrew Luck was informed by the doctors he’s been seeing and what’s the risk for the rest of his career? pic.twitter.com/euaI8S45Mg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 2, 2017
Colts general manager Chris Ballard spoke to the media about the decision to end Andrew Luck’s season.
#Colts LIVE: GM Chris Ballard discusses the decision to place Andrew Luck on IR. https://t.co/HmxEE5ujT5
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 2, 2017
