clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Colts “not ignoring” 2018 QB draft class while Andrew Luck is still on the mend

The Indianapolis Colts are doing their due diligence on college quarterbacks while Andrew Luck is recovering from shoulder surgery.

By Josh Hudgens
Indianapolis Colts v Tennessee Titan Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has been on the mend from off-season shoulder surgery since January. Luck is slated to be evaluated by doctors in December and is expected to return to the field for the 2018 season. However, the team will look at the upcoming quarterback draft class per a report from Chris Mortensen.

Chris Ballard, the Colts general manager insisted the injury is not career ending: "I've heard all sorts of rumors about career-ending," Ballard said. "That's not the case here. I've not got that from one doctor. Career-ending is putting him out on the field before he's ready to play. That's where you should be concerned."

If the team believes Luck will be back for next season, then why are they looking at future quarterbacks? The simple answer is that nothing is guaranteed. The injury, which was sustained in week 3 of 2015 has been unpredictable, to say the least.

The team could be left with a decision to make if Luck’s shoulder hasn’t made any progress heading into the off-season. They have Jacoby Brissett who has shown flashes at times but will likely have a high draft pick to choose between quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and Josh Allen, among others.

For Luck, it’s believed his setbacks have been from compensating in his throwing mechanics while playing injured. Ian Rapoport reports that: “The shoulder doesn't look bad when examined. But there are little ailments that haven't been resolved. Over the last four weeks, Luck has spent weekdays in Birmingham, Alabama, working with Kevin Wilk, one of the nation's most respected physical therapists. And it has not gotten better. He'd rehab, then get sore, then shut it down. Every time he got close, he'd get sore.”

All reports point towards Luck making a full recovery from his injury, but you can’t fault the Colts for formulating a contingency plan. As of now, Luck continues his rehab, while fans wait in anticipation of hearing the future of their star signal-caller.

More From Stampede Blue