Journal Pioneer

Unlucky Colts close training camp with quarterbac­k quandary

- BY MICHAEL MAROT

INDIANAPOL­IS - The Indianapol­is Colts finished training camp Thursday with the same quarterbac­k quandary they’ve had all year.

Andrew Luck is still recovering from shoulder surgery. Scott Tolzien, Phillip Walker and Stephen Morris are still taking all the snaps. And nobody is saying when Luck might be activated from the physically-unable-toperform list.

If the Colts must continue to rely on mostly unproven quarterbac­ks, the coaches may have to shrink the playbook. “We’ll make those adjustment­s if that’s the case down the road,” offensive co-ordinator Rob Chudzinski said when asked about changing tactics if Luck’s not ready for the regularsea­son opener Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams. “Like we’ve said before and many times, really we’re focused on us individual­ly improving.” The Colts don’t have much choice right now. Though general manager Chris Ballard has repeatedly said he wants to improve the competitio­n at each position, he has shown no inclinatio­n to bring in a veteran backup as Luck recovers from off-season surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his right arm. On Sunday, as Ballard acknowledg­ed that the strength in Luck’s throwing arm is returning and the franchise quarterbac­k’s long-term prognosis is promising, team owner Jim Irsay insisted Luck will not be rushed back. He just doesn’t think it’s worth it.

Luck is throwing, team officials have said. But he still hasn’t suited up.

With Luck off the depth chart, Tolzien, who is 0-2-1 as an NFL starter, is the top guy; Morris, who spent most of the last two seasons on Indy’s practice squad, is No. 2.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada