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It’s starting to feel like déjà vu.
Once again, the Colts are only a few weeks away from starting the season and the health status of their starting quarterback is unknown. The drama began back in March when we were told that Andrew Luck was dealing with a calf strain, but should be fine by the start of training camp. Two weeks into training camp, we still haven’t seen him on the practice field.
The last two days we’ve heard from both Colts GM Chris Ballard and team owner Jim Irsay. Irsay told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday that Luck has a bone injury; specifically a broken Os Trigonum (the same injury suffered by former Colts offensive lineman Ryan Diem). Ballard corrected Irsay’s statement on Tuesday, saying that Luck’s calf issue was not quite the same as what Diem had, but that Luck’s includes a high-ankle problem. Right now, Luck won’t need surgery but there doesn’t seem to be a timetable for his return. Luck is questionable for week one against the Chargers. Jacoby Brissett will serve as the team’s starter until Luck returns.
Fans may notice that this is an eerily similar situation to 2017, when Luck missed the entire season and the Colts went 4-12. There isn’t a lot of information and when we do learn more, it seems to have gotten worse. Luckily, this is exactly why Brissett is on the roster—there were reports last year that the Colts were offered a first round pick for Brissett but turned it down—if the Colts have to play games without Luck again they are in a much better position to be successful than they were last time. Add to that the fact that the defense has improved and the offensive line went from being the worst in the league to being one the best, and the Colts might just have a fighting chance this season.