Colts shed some light on Andrew Luck: ankle is the issue
After Jim Irsay’s out-of-the-blue comment about Andrew Luck having a bone issue that is keeping him off the field, the Indianapolis Colts tried to straighten some things out.
We don’t have all the answers, but the Colts don’t either.
Here are the main takeaways from what general manager Chris Ballard said on a conference call, based on the timelines of Mike Chappell of Fox 59/CBS 4, Stephen Holder of The Athletic and Zak Keefer of The Athletic: Luck had a calf injury that turned into an ankle injury. It’s an issue with the front of his ankle and he’s having trouble moving side to side. No surgery is planned.
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Luck is unlikely to play in the preseason. When asked if Week 1 of the regular season was in jeopardy, Ballard said he wasn’t ready to go there. But he did say the Colts wouldn’t put any player on the field if he was at risk.
22 PHOTOSAndrew Luck through his careerSee GalleryAndrew Luck through his career
Stanford University quarterback Andrew Luck looks on during pre-game warm-ups before playing in an NCAA college football game against the University of Southern California in Los Angeles October 29, 2011. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck (12) passes against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the 2012 Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona January 2, 2012. REUTERS/Rick Scuteri (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Quarterback Andrew Luck from Stanford University (R) and quarterback Robert Griffin III from Baylor University arrive for the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York, April 26, 2012. Luck is expected to be the first overall pick of the Indianapolis Colts. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Quarterback Andrew Luck from Stanford University, holds up a jersey as he stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the number one overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft in New York, April 26, 2012. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck smiles while standing on the sidelines during the first quarter of their NFL football game versus the St. Louis Rams in Indianapolis August 12, 2012.REUTERS/Brent Smith (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) passes through coverage by Pittsburgh Steelers LaMarr Woodley (56) in the first quarter of their pre-season NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania August 19, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Cohn (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) calls signals at the offensive line against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Indiana September 16, 2012. REUTERS/Brent Smith (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck passes against the New England Patriots during the first half of their NFL football game in Foxborough, Massachusetts November 18, 2012. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) yells to his teammates on the sidelines prior to the kickoff of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Indianapolis, Indiana December 30, 2012. REUTERS/Brent Smith (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter of their NFL AFC wildcard playoff football game in Baltimore January 6, 2013. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES- Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck reacts after being tackled in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Colts 40-11. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) celebrates on the field after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 45-44 to win the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA;Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) shakes hands after the game with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) at Lucas Oil Stadium. New England defeated Indianapolis 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) gestures before a snap against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team Carter quarterback Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts (12) and Team Carter quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints (9) warm up before the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) shakes hands with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) moments after Indianapolis defeated the Broncos , 27-24 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA;Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) on the sidelines in the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks to pass in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA;Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) walks off the field after the Colts 22-17 loss to the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JULY 30: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) watches practice during the Indianapolis Colts training camp on July 30, 2017 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Up Next
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Andrew Luck missed the 2017 season
If this was another player, maybe there wouldn’t be such alarm with more than three weeks remaining before the regular season. But we all remember two years ago with the Colts and Luck.
Throughout that year, the Colts expressed optimism about Luck’s shoulder. Even as time went on, the Colts wouldn’t admit Luck’s season was in jeopardy. Then he missed the whole 2017 season.
“This is not 2017,” Ballard said, via Holder.
Ballard also said, “We think we’ve got a handle on it.”
That could be true. But based on recent history with Luck and the Colts, there should be some skepticism.
Luck’s injury goes back to March
The calf injury that Luck was dealing with dates all the way back to March, Ballard said via Chappell. In May he was still having issues. The team tried to work him in slowly at the start of camp in late July, but Luck was still having pain. Then it turned into the injury at the front of the ankle, which was described as a high-ankle issue. That’s all concerning.
The Colts were concerned it was Os Trigonum Syndrome, Keefer said, but eliminated that possibility late Monday night. That is what led to Irsay’s comment about the small bone early Tuesday.
For now, Luck will continue to rehab. The Colts feel like they’ve identified the area of concern while they seek more information. Now all they can do is wait and hope Ballard is right that this is not 2017 all over again.
Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
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