Not all Colts match owner's optimism about Andrew Luck comeback

ByChris Mortensen and Adam Schefter ESPN logo
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Though Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay raised hopes that Andrew Luck could return from his lacerated kidney injury Sunday, when or if Luck will play again this season is in question, sources told ESPN.

Irsay had told NFL.com that he thought Luck should be able to play Sunday against the Houston Texans, but others in the Colts organization have not gotten any indication that that is close to happening at this time. As recently as last week, they did not expect Luck to be able to play against the Texans.

Luck told reporters Monday that his goal is to practice this week but that he doesn't feel 100 percent yet. He said he will play again this season.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said he had "not heard anything from our trainers or doctors" on Luck practicing this week.

The Colts are handling Luck as carefully and cautiously as possible, and with good reason. Doctors know that Luck cannot risk elevating his heart rate because it would pump more blood through his kidneys, delaying the healing process, according to medical sources.

Luck has been getting regular kidney scans, as often as every fourth day, according to sources.

With Luck unable to run, and with the player and team making sure he heals before his workouts are elevated, the Colts don't appear to have a specific timetable on how long Luck will be out, but he doesn't appear to be close to returning any time soon.

There are questions about Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck as well. Hasselbeck has been battling neck, rib and shoulder injuries that were worsened during Sunday's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hasselbeck was spotted leaving the stadium Sunday night with his left arm in a sling.

ESPN staff writer Mike Wells contributed to this report.

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