Luck set to begin camp on PUP list
Andrew Luck’s surgically repaired right shoulder will keep him out for the start of training camp.
How much more time he’ll miss is still unclear.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said yesterday that the team’s franchise quarterback would go on the physically unable to perform list when players report to camp Saturday.
“I want to make this very clear: Andrew has not had a setback. This is all part of the process,” Ballard said. “The long-term prognosis is very good and that is very positive. We are going to follow the doctors’ orders and the process.”
Luck, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft and the face of the franchise, had surgery in January to repair a partially torn labrum. He did not participate in any of the offseason workouts and the Colts knew all along there was a good chance he would still be recovering during camp.
Ballard said Luck did not start throwing until last week. The next step is working on his throwing motion and regaining strength in his right arm.
Still, the Colts have avoided establishing a timeline for when Luck will start taking snaps or whether he would be ready for the Sept. 10 opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
The injury occurred initially on Sept. 27, 2015, at Tennessee. After getting hurt, Luck struggled, throwing 15 TD passes, 12 interceptions and going 2-5. He was sidelined for the first time in his pro career, missing nine games. Luck opted against surgery following that season, but after enduring a second season of shoulder pain, he had the surgery.
Elway inks extension
John Elway agreed to a new five-year contract, ending a long-running story line that had fans wondering if the Hall of Fame QB-turned-GM might leave the franchise he’s led to three Super Bowl titles.
Elway insisted ever since the club approached him last October about a new deal that he wasn’t going anywhere. Yet, as months passed without an agreement, the issue came to dominate discussions about the Broncos along with their quarterback puzzle.
The Broncos begin their seventh training camp under Elway’s front-office leadership on Thursday.
Elway was set to enter the final year of his contract as general manager and executive vice president of football operations. The sides tore up the final year of his old contract and added four more seasons, through 2021. In 22 seasons with the franchise, 16 as a player, the Broncos have had only two losing seasons.
Elway led Denver to Super Bowl wins after the 1997 and ’98 seasons to cap his Hall of Fame career. He returned to the Broncos in 2011, and from the front office has led them to a 77-33 record with five playoff appearances and a win over Carolina in Super Bowl 50. Only the Patriots (86-26) are better over that span. . . .
The Panthers fired longtime personnel man Mark Koncz in yet another frontoffice shakeup. Koncz, 50, was promoted earlier this offseason by former general manager Dave Gettleman to director of player personnel after serving 17 years as pro scouting director. New interim general manager Marty Hurney made the decision to fire Koncz.
Injured Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings placed running back Latavius Murray on the physically unable to perform list, and put defensive tackle
Sharrif Floyd on the nonfootball injury list. Murray missed the entire offseason program following ankle surgery in March. Floyd missed all but the 2016 opener after having right knee surgery. . . .
The Philadelphia Eagles signed Canadian national team rugby star Adam Zaruba to a three-year contract. The 26-year-old will play tight end, standing at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. . . .
Safety and special teamer David Bruton Jr., who played for the Washington Redskins last year, retired after eight seasons because of multiple concussions. . . .
The Dallas Cowboys released receiver/kick returner Lucky Whitehead after the third-year player was linked to a shoplifting arrest on June 22 in his home state of Virginia.