With a calf injury from organized team activities still lingering three months later, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck missed Tuesday’s practice and will sit out at least two more days, head coach Frank Reich told reporters.
“Felt good about him going the first four days (of training camp), progressing up,” Reich said. “And then just getting feedback from Andrew, (he’s) just not ready to take the next step. Just thought the best thing to do is be conservative, go back and regroup, and let’s get this thing right. Still got plenty of time to go.”
Reich and Luck both stressed that the quarterback will be ready for Week 1. Reich said if there were a “big game” this Sunday, Luck would likely play.
Luck told reporters he is feeling pain in his ankle, but all tests have shown his Achilles tendon is not at increased risk. He added that while surgery has been discussed at times over the last few months, it was deemed unnecessary.
“I’m not looking for average,” Luck said of his standard when practicing. “And if I’m going out here with pain, I’ll be average. … that’s not good enough for me, that’s not good enough for this club.”
The quarterback participated in only individual drills when camp opened Thursday, then progressed to 7-on-7 on Friday before taking Saturday off with what was called a “maintenance day.” He returned to 7-on-7 drills Sunday before the team had Monday off. Reich previously expected Luck to work into 11-on-11 drills this week.
Now Reich says the team will “reassess” after Friday’s off-day. Luck will not play in the preseason opener Aug. 8 against the Buffalo Bills, but that was predetermined months ago, and his preseason reps were always planned to be scaled down. It’s possible he doesn’t play at all in preseason.
Luck, 29, was named the 2018 NFL Comeback Player of the Year after completing a career-best 67.3 percent of his passes for 4,593 yards and 39 touchdowns and leading the Colts to a playoff berth.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft sat out the entire 2017 season following surgery on his right shoulder.
–Field Level Media
