Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay expects quarterback Andrew Luck to be ready to lead the offense by Week 15 this year, Week 16 at the latest, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
#Colts owner Jim Irsay told me he believes QB Andrew Luck will be back for Week 15 vs. the #Texans. Week 16 vs. #Dolphins at the latest
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 6, 2015
Luck’s 2015 season hasn’t been ideal. Dealing with multiple injuries, the young gunslinger has gone 2-5 in his seven starts and has put up numbers comparable to his rocky rookie season.
In his stead, veteran Matt Hasselbeck has gone 4-0 heading into Week 13 to help the Colts remain in contention for the AFC South and/or the AFC wild card. Despite this fact, head coach Chuck Pagano recently scoffed at the idea that the 40-year-old veteran is somehow a better option for the team when Luck is healthy.
Indianapolis is currently tied with the suddenly surging Houston Texans, winners of four games in a row, at 6-5 atop the division. If Hasselbeck can continue playing at a high level and keep the Colts going strong heading into the final few games when Luck could return, there’s no telling what this team could do in the playoffs.
When healthy, Luck is among the top passers in the league. Despite his difficulties this year, the Colts are certainly better off with him in the lineup when healthy than without him. We’ll soon see proof of this fact, provided he indeed is healthy when he makes his return later this season.