Andrew Luck is throwing footballs again — kind of.
A day after Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay expressed optimism about his quarterback’s pending return, it was revealed that Luck is throwing footballs, just not NFL-sized ones.
“Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich revealed to reporters Tuesday at the owners meetings in Orlando, Fla. the team’s cornerstone quarterback has resumed throwing a football,” Mike Chappell of Fox 59 reported. “He later elaborated Luck is throwing reduced-sized footballs to where you get the motion, but you feel like it’s a little bit of a football action.”
It’s unclear just how “reduced” the size of these balls is.
Luck’s progress in the offseason has generally been positive. It’s also expected that he’ll began an intense throwing program in April.
The importance of a healthy Luck on the Colts franchise can’t be overstated.
In his first three seasons in the NFL — when he was healthy — Indianapolis notched three 11-5 seasons, making the playoffs each time. He played seven games in 2015, 15 games (though not healthy) in 2016, and the Colts went 8-8 both times. Luck then missed all of 2017, which was a disastrous 4-12 campaign. It was one of only three losing seasons that Indianapolis suffered through since drafting Peyton Manning in 1998.
Clearly, Luck needs to get back, but the Colts can’t rush him, either. By and large, it seems like all parties involved are doing a good job.