Andrew Luck and Clayton Geathers expected to be back for Colts vs. Jets

The Indianapolis Colts could get a big boost in week 13 with the return of quarterback Andrew Luck and safety Clayton Geathers, who both missed last Thursday’s game with a concussion.

Luck and Geathers were both back at practice today in red non-contact jerseys, and head coach Chuck Pagano confirmed that they are still in the concussion protocol. But the fact that they’re cleared to return to non-contact practice is a good sign and means they’re getting close to returning. Pagano said that Wednesday will be a normal practice for Luck and Geathers, as today was the non-contact day and then they have to go on a contact day before seeing an independent doctor. If they clear all of that, then they’re good to go and out of the protocol.

So Pagano said that, barring no setbacks, he expects to have both of those guys on the field a week from today when the Colts face the Jets on Monday Night Football. He didn’t get into whether they would have been able to play yesterday had it been a Sunday game rather than a Thursday game, however, simply saying that, “I’m not a doctor and I’m not a trainer so I don’t know the answer to that.”

Last week is behind them, though, and moving forward it does look like they should get Luck and Geathers back. That would be a big boost for their chances in a key game (because they’re all key games from this point on) as they would get their franchise quarterback and a starting safety back. It’s also possible they could get other players back, too, as Pagano indicated that Robert Mathis is day-to-day with a bicep issue, while he also said that he’s optimistic about Vontae Davis (groin) and T.Y. Hilton (back) being ready to go.