Stampede Blue - Andrew Luck suffers concussion, status for Colts vs. Steelers game in doubtAn Indianapolis Colts bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29818/stampedeblue_fave.png2016-11-30T16:57:56-05:00http://www.stampedeblue.com/rss/stream/134742192016-11-30T16:57:56-05:002016-11-30T16:57:56-05:00Andrew Luck in the final stage of concussion protocol
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<figcaption>Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="FZQaCV">After the Indianapolis Colts practiced today, quarterback Andrew Luck has just one step remaining before he clears the concussion protocol.</p>
<p id="fVQhcY">Luck told the media after practice that he had “full practice, no restrictions, felt great” today, meaning that he’s got just one more step to go: see and be cleared by an independent neurologist. <a href="http://cbs4indy.com/2016/11/30/no-restrictions-for-colts-andrew-luck-felt-great/">According to CBS4’s Mike Chappell</a> Luck said he didn’t know when that meeting would come (though it’ll likely be Thursday), but that’s the last step of the process. So as long as Luck is cleared by that independent doctor, he’ll be good to go for Monday’s game.</p>
<p id="ri2LRl">It’s assumed Clayton Geathers is in the same situation as Luck, as Geathers appeared to be a full participant at practice today and was not wearing the red non-contact jersey. So if he too was a full participant in practice, then he’ll simply need to be cleared by an independent neurologist as well and be good to go.</p>
<p id="5gHihj">The concussion protocol is a set standard that players must go through before returning from a concussion, and it’s been what Luck and Geathers have been following. They took a big step forward when they returned to practice in a limited non-contact role on Monday, and then they took the next step today as they appeared to be full participants. The last step in the process is to be cleared by the independent doctor, after which they will be out of the protocol.</p>
<p id="ukz6r1">So at this point it is fully expected that the Colts will have both Andrew Luck and Clayton Geathers for Monday night’s game against the New York Jets, which is great news for a team desperate to string together a number of wins to close the season and try to make the playoffs. It won’t be easy, but it will be a bit easier with Luck and Geathers back in the mix. They’re still in the protocol for now, but they’re in the last step and should hopefully be cleared soon.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/11/30/13799930/andrew-luck-in-the-final-stage-of-concussion-protocol-clayton-geathers-indianapolis-coltsJosh Wilson2016-11-28T12:59:37-05:002016-11-28T12:59:37-05:00Andrew Luck and Clayton Geathers expected to be back for Colts vs. Jets
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<figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="OHEtyV">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.</p>
<p id="HJdesZ">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.</p>
<p id="OE3YTS">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.”</p>
<p id="VuU95N">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.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/11/28/13765674/andrew-luck-and-clayton-geathers-expected-to-be-back-for-colts-vs-jetsJosh Wilson2016-11-28T11:22:14-05:002016-11-28T11:22:14-05:00Andrew Luck returns to practice for Colts on Monday
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<figcaption>Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="Vqk8Ew">The Indianapolis Colts are back on the practice field this morning following their game last Thursday, and the biggest news is that quarterback <a href="https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/status/803263628933611520">Andrew Luck is also back to work</a>.</p>
<p id="M9o9W7">To be clear, that does not neccessarily mean that Luck has cleared the concussion protocol completely, but it <em>does</em> mean that he has been cleared to return to practice, which means he’s progressing along well in the protocol. We hopefully should get a better update on Luck’s status later today, but the fact that he’s back to practice is a great sign regarding his availability for Monday’s game against the Jets.</p>
<p id="3TEhd7">Luck isn’t the only Colts player back at practice today, however. Center Ryan Kelly, who left Thursday’s game after one drive with a shoulder injury, <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/803264841825878017">is practicing</a>. Safety Clayton Geathers, who is also in the concussion protocol, <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/803264072670216192">is back at practice in a red jersey</a>, meaning he has been cleared for non-contact work in practice. Not everyone is back, though, as wide receiver<a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/803264072670216192"> T.Y. Hilton (lower back), cornerback Patrick Robinson</a> (groin?), right guard <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/803264841825878017">Denzelle Good</a> (shoulder), and outside linebacker <a href="https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/status/803266973878669313">Robert Mathis</a> (elbow) aren’t working. Also, <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/803264377113735169">there’s no sign yet during the open portion of practice of cornerback Vontae Davis</a> (ankle/groin), so he might not be working either.</p>
<p id="kFCTYq">Hopefully we’ll get an update on some of these injuries later, but with the team not playing for another week there’s still time for guys to get healthy. So the Colts could be taking it easy with players today if they’re still not healthy, deciding that today’s practice is definitely not crucial to Monday’s game and that it’s more important they get healthy. On a long week like this, perhaps the Colts are being cautious. But it’s good news that Luck, Kelly, and Geathers are back, and hopefully the team will get some of the other injured guys back this week too.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/11/28/13764320/andrew-luck-returns-to-practice-for-colts-on-mondayJosh Wilson2016-11-27T15:18:03-05:002016-11-27T15:18:03-05:00Report: Luck could have played if Colts’ game was on Sunday
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<figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="2FKbxh">The Indianapolis Colts were without franchise quarterback Andrew Luck on Thursday night as he missed the game with a concussion, but a long break in-between games should help him get healthy in time for the team’s Monday night game against the Jets coming up.</p>
<p id="umWJHl">In fact, it sounds like Luck has responded well and should be back soon. <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/andrew-luck-could-have-played-in-week-12-if-game-had-been-on-sunday/">CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported this morning</a> that Luck “is on track to play in Week 13” and that the Colts expect him to be cleared to practice on Monday. In fact, La Canfora said that if the Colts had been playing on Sunday this week the team believes Luck was on track to have been cleared to play. Wrote La Canfora:</p>
<blockquote><p id="OIQgs0">Luck was officially ruled out Wednesday when the Colts put out their final injury report, but sources said he continued to feel better Thursday and suffered no setbacks through the weekend. Had it been a normal week, he could have started in what was clearly a huge game for Indianapolis. The Colts anticipate Luck being cleared to practice Monday ahead of their game against the Jets.</p></blockquote>
<p id="mlr9CK">Because of the Colts playing on a short week on Thursday it was always extremely unlikely that Luck would be able to play, and I think everyone realized that. But the good news is that it sounds like Luck responded well and probably could have gone today had it been a normal week, which means that he definitely should be back for next Monday’s game.</p>
<p id="bDbu8r">It’s unclear whether Luck will have completely cleared the concussion protocol by Monday or whether it’s just expected that he will be ready to return to practice, but the fact that he may have been able to play in a game today is an encouraging sign for the Colts. Concussions are always impossible to predict and so therefore it was impossible to tell for sure how long he would be out. But it sounds like he’s getting close to being ready to return (if he’s not there yet), so he could be back tomorrow.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/11/27/13758270/report-andrew-luck-could-have-played-if-colts-game-was-on-sunday-instead-of-thursdayJosh Wilson2016-11-23T15:23:33-05:002016-11-23T15:23:33-05:00Luck and Geathers are officially OUT
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<figcaption>Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="M1fLxS">The Indianapolis have officially ruled quarterback Andrew Luck and safety Clayton Geathers out for Thursday night’s Thanksgiving game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cornerback Vontae Davis and wide receiver Donte Moncrief are questionable.</p>
<p id="1RsFEI">There shouldn’t be anyone surprised by this injury update, as it’s what we’ve been saying all week: it was very, very unlikely Luck would play after suffering a concussion last Sunday, and the same with Geathers. Neither of them practiced at all this week, and with a set concussion protocol they have to go through in order to be cleared the chances were very slim they would be able to clear it in time on a short week.</p>
<p id="a05KIz">With Luck out it’s expected to be Scott Tolzien getting the start at quarterback for the Colts, though Chuck Pagano yesterday was noncommittal and simply said “we have options.” It’s expected to be Tolzien, however, with Stephen Morris (who was just promoted to the active roster from the practice squad today) backing him up. Either way, it goes without saying that having to play without Andrew Luck is a major, major loss for Indianapolis.</p>
<p id="4DonB4">It’s also a significant loss to be without Clayton Geathers, who has had a good season at safety and last week made the key fourth down stop. In his absence, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more Darius Butler at safety, while T.J. Green could get more playing time as well.</p>
<p id="zsYTUB">It will be interesting to see whether Vontae Davis is able to play, as he missed practice on Monday and Tuesday and then was limited today with his ankle injury. He’s been in a boot this week and was clearly affected by the injury last Sunday, so it wouldn’t be the worst idea for the Colts to keep him out. But against a dangerous Steelers passing offense it’s important for them to have their top cornerback, so we’ll see whether he’s able to play.</p>
<p id="6tXDM0">Wide receiver Donte Moncrief was a new addition to the injury report today as questionable, as he was limited with a hamstring injury. It’s unclear how serious that injury, but hopefully he will be able to go - as Scott Tolzien will need all the help he can get.</p>
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https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/11/23/13734698/colts-rule-andrew-luck-and-clayton-geathers-out-for-thursday-night-vs-steelersJosh Wilson2016-11-23T15:16:31-05:002016-11-23T15:16:31-05:00Colts sign Stephen Morris to active roster
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<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="kgpYmx">The Indianapolis Colts today made the roster move that everyone expected them to make, promoting quarterback Stephen Morris from the practice squad to the active roster. To make room for him, they waived wide receiver Devin Street.</p>
<p id="KTQmTh">The move is one that everyone should have expected to happen, as it provides a backup for Scott Tolzien should Andrew Luck not be able to play Thursday like is expected. This move would seem to be yet another indication that Luck will indeed miss the game, though no injury report has been released yet. </p>
<p id="PCGkjM">Morris was with the team in preseason and really impressed, actually outplaying the other two quarterbacks and making the 53-man roster out of training camp before he was waived a few days later. He’s spent the entire season on the Colts’ practice squad and last year spent time on the team’s active roster and practice squad. </p>
<p id="B0O0YT">Devin Street was signed this year as a depth wide receiver, but he didn’t see a ton of playing time nor did he have a lot of production. In three games this year since being signed off the Patriots’ practice squad, he caught one pass for 20 yards.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/11/23/13735754/colts-sign-stephen-morris-to-active-roster-devin-streetJosh Wilson2016-11-22T19:35:57-05:002016-11-22T19:35:57-05:00Colts Tuesday Injury Report: Luck, Geathers, and Davis miss second straight day of practice
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="4vT4vu">The Indianapolis Colts returned to the practice field today to continue preparations for their Thanksgiving night game this Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and while the injury report isn’t super lengthy it does feature some really key players.</p>
<p id="r0VMSx">Obviously the big situation is with quarterback Andrew Luck, who was out for the second straight day with a concussion. The same is true of safety Clayton Geathers, and with the way the NFL’s concussion protocol is set up it will be tough for them to clear all the steps in time to return to the field by Thursday after not practicing. Many will be quick to point out that it’s not impossible (so you’re telling me there’s a chance), but it’s fair to say that it’s definitely not likely whatsoever. Different players can return at different times with concussions so it’s impossible to tell for sure how long Luck and Geathers will be out, but the protocol is pretty well-defined and lays out the steps a player must go through.</p>
<p id="H0R060">Other injury situations aren’t as clear in that regard, and that’s what’s going on with cornerback Vontae Davis. He missed practice for the second straight day today with an ankle injury, which on a short week obviously calls his status into question. He was seen in a boot at yesterday’s practice, and today <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BNIcPsfhhmB/">Darius Butler posted a picture of the defensive backs</a> that showed Davis still in a boot. Last week he was a late addition to the injury report, and while he played he was clearly impacted by the injury and was far from his best on Sunday. So health-wise it might be better for him to get back to 100%, but the Colts could really use him against a tough Steelers offense. Chuck Pagano said yesterday that Davis was held out for precautionary reasons, but the fact that he’s missed two days of practice in a row isn’t a great sign.</p>
<p id="baHWuN">The good news is that cornerback Rashaan Melvin returned to practice today after missing yesterday with a lower back injury, but cornerback Frankie Williams sat out practice today due to a non-football injury - something that is worth paying attention to.</p>
<p id="rrET5I">Here’s the full participation report for today’s practice for the Colts:</p>
<h3 id="CQLuBt">Did Not Practice:</h3>
<p id="JlA3sK">Andrew Luck, QB (concussion)</p>
<p id="IbKIKn">Clayton Geathers, S (concussion)</p>
<p id="YKF7J1">Vontae Davis, CB (ankle)</p>
<p id="83OLq6">Frankie Williams, CB (non-football injury)</p>
<h3 id="EpWoci">Full Participation:</h3>
<p id="YGrS6A">Art Jones, DT (knee and ankle)</p>
<p id="DTeIEG">Rashaan Melvin, CB (back)</p>
<p id="uAWOSj">Patrick Robinson, CB (groin)</p>
<p id="ed4cO0">Robert Mathis, OLB (rest Wednesday)</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/11/22/13720988/colts-tuesday-injury-report-andrew-luck-clayton-geathers-vontae-davis-miss-practiceJosh Wilson2016-11-22T19:19:32-05:002016-11-22T19:19:32-05:00Ben Roethlisberger to Andrew Luck: “Be smart” with concussions
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<figcaption>Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="RnmUA8">Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger drew some attention last year when he self-reported concussion symptoms, and <a href="http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/11/09/themmqb-podcast-peter-king-nfl-ben-roethlisberger-concussions-steelers-joe-buck-world-series">he explained his reasoning earlier this year to the MMQB</a> about how brain injuries shouldn’t be taken lightly.</p>
<p id="mWilMW">Roethlisberger has dealt with concussions in his career, and this Thursday he’ll face a team who’s quarterback is dealing with one. Andrew Luck is in the concussion protocol, and while Roethlisberger expects him to play, he wouldn’t blame Luck for missing the contest.</p>
<p id="7RVSaX">“Absolutely. There is no doubt in my mind that he is going to play,” Roethlisberger told Indianapolis reporters today. “I will tell him, and this has nothing to do with football, but just to be smart. The brain is nothing to mess with. He is young and has a long career ahead of himself.”</p>
<p id="qrtfSj">Roethlisberger said that the reason he expects Luck to play is because he’s a competitor, because it’s a primetime Thanksgiving night game, and because he’s one of the best in the game, but he also had a warning: “I mean it with all sincerity to him to be very serious and take it seriously because the brain is one thing you can’t mess with.” Shortly thereafter, he also added that, “If he is smart and if he does say that he doesn’t feel ready to go out there, then there will be no knock on him coming from me by any imagination.”</p>
<p id="YASibc">While some will see it as Roethlisberger just hoping that his opponent is weaker, it truly does seem to be a quarterback hoping the best for his quarterback counterpart and wanting Luck to make sure he’s smart and cautious with the injury. In the grand scheme of things, one game isn’t the most important thing in the world.</p>
<p id="xGfc9M">“[Injuries are] a part of football,” said Roethlisberger, who’s had his fair share of injuries throughout his career. “Like you said before, you can rub dirt on a lot of things, but you can’t rub dirt on the brain so you have to be smart with that. When you play this game long enough you are bound to have injuries because it is a violent sport.”</p>
<p id="ZWIA3P">Basically, Roethlisberger’s message to Luck is this: be smart and be careful. That’s very good and wise advice, and it’s something that some players don’t think through as much in their relentless pursuit to get back on the field. If Luck really doesn’t play (which is expected), he won’t get any criticism from Roethlisberger or many others.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/11/22/13720226/ben-roethlisberger-to-andrew-luck-be-smart-with-concussions-colts-steelersJosh Wilson