Andrew Luck's recent struggles are well documented. We now know one reason why he's been playing differently this season.
Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported Sunday that Luck suffered multiple fractured ribs at the same time he suffered the shoulder injury that caused him to miss Weeks 4 and 5. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport confirmed through Colts and league sources that Luck suffered a rib injury that he received treatment on. Colts sources say he would not have missed any practice time because of the rib injury, and that he's fully recovered now. Luck has not been listed on the injury report with the rib injury at any stage this season.
"Our injury reports are accurate. If people have any questions about player injuries, they should refer to our injury reports," Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said in a statement.
Rapoport reported that the Colts have previously been in communication with the league on the shoulder injury. Teams that do not properly disclose injuries are subject to fines.
While this news will not ease the minds of Colts fans, it does help to explain some of Luck's struggles this year. Fractured ribs will go a long way toward altering a throwing motion and making a quarterback get rid of the ball sooner than he wants to. Both of these issues have been hallmarks of Luck during his early 2015 to forget.
Given that Luck is healthy now, there should be no possibility of the Colts trying to rest him in order to get him healthier. It's on him to turn this dreadful start to the season around, and that quest begins Monday night in Carolina.
