Andrew Luck underwent surgery after all.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said Thursday morning that his quarterback is recovering from successful surgery to repair a lingering issue in his right shoulder from 2015. Irsay added that Luck would be ready for the start of the 2017 season.
Luck's recovery timetable will prevent him from throwing for three months and it'll take him six months to fully recover, a source informed of the situation told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. That means he's eyeing a full recovery by mid-July before training camp opens.
Luck's shoulder was a concern throughout the 2016 season. He was regularly on the injury report due to the ailment. Yet both the quarterback and coach Chuck Pagano downplayed the injury. Luck missed one game this year due to a concussion.
Irsay told Rapoport in December that Luck wouldn't need surgery. Early this month Luck replied, "I do not think so" when asked if he would need surgery. Weeks later, Luck needed surgery.
Luck has taken a beating throughout his career behind an offensive line that the Colts' brass has either neglected or can't seem to fix when they do add parts. The franchise quarterback has been one of the most battered quarterbacks in the NFL since he entered the league. Those hits are coming to roost in Indy.
The Colts missed the playoffs for the second straight season. In the worst division in the NFL, with the best quarterback in the division, Indy could easily be back in the postseason next year. First they need a healthy Luck. And they need to keep him healthy this time around.
