Andrew

Luck

“I think everyone just needs to digest this fact that he’s more retired now than he was a year and a half ago,” was Irsay’s exact quote. “Only Andrew knows, of course, because it’s his decision, but I can only say that he definitely is retired. ... Believe me, I wish (the rumors were) true, and I was hiding some announcement that we could release two days from now, but that’s not the case.” Intensely private, Luck has given zero indication he is planning to return after his stunning August 2019 decision.

The Colts are rumored to be looking for a new quarterback this offseason. Jacoby Brissett started off hot but closed the season with just four touchdowns over his final nine games. Luck would be a sight for sore eyes but Ballard made it clear that the former No. 1 pick is done with football. “Andrew is retired,” said Ballard during his 75-minute press conference. “I think we all need to accept that.” Expect the Colts to do their due diligence on quarterbacks in free agency and the draft.

The Colts could have recouped $24.8 million from Luck—a prorated $12.8 million from his signing bonus and another $12 million in roster bonuses—but instead the team is letting him keep it all. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the settlement was reached last week, suggesting the Colts have known Luck was retiring for some time. It’s a nice gesture by the Colts and one that wasn’t afforded to Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders when they retired early. Luck is leaving $58.1 million in salary on the table by calling it quits, but said injuries had taken the joy out of playing. Twenty nine with a degree in architectural design from Stanford, we’re excited see what’s next for Luck now that his playing days are over.

Per Schefter, Luck is “mentally worn down” and has already informed owner Jim Irsay of his intentions. It’s the most stunning NFL news of the decade. Two years removed from a lost season to a shoulder injury, Luck had not practiced all summer as he dealt with a mysterious calf/ankle issue. Viewed as a once-in-a-decade type prospect when he entered the league out of Stanford in 2012, Luck produced a 2014-15 AFC Championship Game appearance and a pair of 39-touchdown campaigns. He took a massive beating in the process, playing behind shaky offensive lines while being cavalier with his body. Jacoby Brissett will now be under center Week 1. Although he is arguably the best backup in the league, Brissett will likely be a bottom-tier starter.

Draft Guide: See how the news impacts our rankings

With Andrew Luck (ankle, calf) already on the shelf, the Colts can’t afford to have their backup hurt too. The decision to rest Brissett could be a sign Indianapolis isn’t expecting Luck back for Week 1. If that’s the case, it will be a huge downgrade for the entire Colts offense. Fantasy owners with drafts coming up need to adjust their rankings accordingly.

It’s partially a side-to-side movement issue and partially a pain tolerance issue. Either way, it’s not a great sign for his Week 1 outlook. The Colts have made it clear that they want their quarterback starter to be announced well before the season opener, so Luck will need to progress quickly. Expecting that to happen after months of lingering problems is optimistic, but they haven’t ruled him out yet. If Luck is out, all Colts will obviously need to be downgraded even if Jacoby Brissett is a capable backup.

The full video can be seen in the link below. It’s just warm-ups, but it’s still a positive sign considering Colts GM Chris Ballard said Luck’s high-ankle sprain recently spread and became a calf injury. He won’t play in the preseason, but there’s still “guarded optimism” he’ll be ready for Week 1 (as first reported by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen). Luck is currently being drafted as the No. 4 quarterback in fantasy, which is beginning to look more and more plausible given his extensive workouts.

Frankly, that doesn’t tell us much. Luck’s Week 1 availability is still in legitimate doubt. The Colts’ opener is 24 days from now. Luck has not seemed like a player on the cusp of returning to practice. He is too risky to be the No. 2 quarterback off the board right now.

NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo adds “unless Luck makes some miraculous recovery, we could be looking at Jacoby Brissett in Week 1.” Apparently the injury is not just a calf issue or an ankle issue; it is an “accumulation over time.” This seems to be the first real timetable on the Colts’ decision for the start of the season, so the week of the team’s third preseason game will be crucial. If Luck does not start practicing at some point next week, signs point to him missing the opener against the Chargers.

The Colts, who have never been the most forthcoming with injury details (particularly in regards to Luck), finally admitted what many had long suspected: the quarterback’s balky calf isn’t the only body part bothering him. While Luck’s ankle is admittedly causing him pain, the Colts have stopped short of calling it a “high sprain.” Perhaps it would be better if it was a high sprain, as at least then the Colts would have a clear timetable for their franchise signal-caller. Indianapolis insists Luck is in no danger of missing Week 1, but we’re starting to have our doubts.