Latest on Colts QB Andrew Luck

Update:

Colts GM Chris Ballard told reporters on Tuesday that QB Andrew Luck is no longer dealing with a bone issue. Instead, tests on Monday showed that “the front of the ankle (high ankle-ish) needs to be addressed,” per Kevin Bowen.

• According to Ballard, they plan on changing some things in terms of Luck’s rehab. Although, Ballard wasn’t ready to say he’ll be ready for Week 1. (Kevin Bowen) 
• Ballard explained that the ankle issue is likely a cumulative problem, given that Luck has dealt with ankle injuries in the past. (Kevin Bowen) 
• Ballard did, however, say that “this is not 2017″ when asked if the team can win with Jacoby Brissett under center. (Kevin Bowen)
• Luck “most likely” will not play during the preseason and they’re “hoping” that they’ve found the cause of Luck’s issues. (Kevin Bowen)
• Luck’s current issues are moving “side-to-side” and overall pocket movement. (Kevin Bowen)
• Ballard said that they would allow Luck to play at 85-90 percent if he could protect himself and play well. (Joel A. Erickson)

Colts owner Jim Irsay said in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday that QB Andrew Luck is dealing with a bone issue in his lower left leg.

Luck has missed all of spring OTA’s and training camp with a lingering calf injury. 

“I know everyone’s had their questions about Andrew and that sort of thing, but I really feel very confident that he’s going to find his way through this thing,” Irsay said. “I think after the (Kevin) Durant things (that) everyone’s erring on the side of caution, but quite frankly this is not even in the Achilles tendon. It’s in another area. It’s a bone. You know I’m not good at these things. … It’s a small little bone.”

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports Luck is “throwing the absolute heck out of the ball” but is not expected to participate in joint practices with the Browns this week or play in the preseason game.

Pelissero says Luck is experiencing “a level of pain he’s just not comfortable with” in his calf and the Colts are proceeding with caution. It’s unclear when Luck will return. 

Luck has said he “absolutely” believes he’ll be ready for the season opener against the Chargers on September 8 and that he’s played in games with worse pain before. Imaging has also shown Luck’s Achilles is not at risk despite the ankle pain. 

The quarterback won the 2018 Comeback Player of the Year following his successful return from a lingering shoulder injury suffered initially in 2016. 

Luck, 29, is a former first-round pick of the Colts back in 2012 out of Stanford. He finished the third year of his six-year, $139.125 million contract that included $87 million guaranteed. He is set to make base salaries of $9.125 million, $11 million, and $11 million over the final three years of his deal.

In 2018, Luck appeared in all 16 games for the Colts and threw for 4,593 yards, completed 67.3 percent of his passes, 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions to go along with 46 rushing attempts, 148 yards (3.2 YPC) and no touchdowns. Pro Football Focus rated him as the No. 3 overall quarterback out of 38 qualifying players. 

We’ll have more on Luck as the news is available.