Quarterback Andrew Luck is not ready to return from a calf strain and could miss the entire preseason as the Indianapolis Colts hope he gets healthy.
“Continuing to progress with his strength, still a degree of pain [in his calf] that he’s not comfortable with,” Colts head coach Frank Reich said Friday. “Obviously, we’re not comfortable with putting him out there. We’re going to continue to work with our medical staff on the plan moving forward.”
Luck could be re-evaluated next week before joint practices with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday and Thursday, but he’s unlikely to participate and less likely to play in the Week 2 exhibition game.
A limited training camp participant in just three practices, Luck is fighting an injury to his calf the team said hasn’t appeared on a series of MRI exams.
The Colts announced July 29 that Luck was going to avoid practice until he’s feeling 100 percent healthy. NBC Sports’ Peter King reported Luck had three MRIs on his injured leg, and none revealed an injury.
Luck said he has a feeling that something is going to “yank” or “pull” when he changes direction.
The Colts are scheduled to open the regular season Sept. 8 at the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s possible a third quarterback would be kept on the 53-man roster behind Jacoby Brissett, who would start in Luck’s absence.
“[General manager] Chris [Ballard] and I are always talking about every spot the whole way,” Reich said. “We remain confident and optimistic on Andrew’s situation. But again, it’s still day-to-day, and we’re going through the plan of what’s the best play for him, for the team. We’ll just adjust as needed, if needed.”