As Luck recovers, Colts unsure about QB for first game
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts finished training camp Thursday with the same quarterback quandary they’ve had all year.
Andrew Luck is recovering from shoulder surgery. Scott Tolzien, Phillip Walker and Stephen Morris are taking all the snaps. And nobody is saying when Luck might be activated from the physically unable to perform list.
If the Colts must continue to rely on mostly unproven quarterbacks, the coaches might have to shrink the playbook.
“We’ll make those adjustments if that’s the case down the road,” offensive coordinator 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 offseason surgery to repair a 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 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; and Walker, an undrafted rookie from Temple who took the bulk of the snaps against Detroit, is No. 3.
Raiders’ Smith jailed for assault
Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith has been charged with beating his sister’s boyfriend last month, Los Angeles prosecutors said.
Smith, 30, is scheduled to be arraigned next month on assault and battery charges, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors say Smith beat his sister’s boyfriend and then stomped on the man’s head in Pasadena on July 4. Court documents said Smith inflicted “serious bodily injury.”
Smith, from Pasadena, is in his second season with the Raiders. The former University of Utah star played for Miami from 2009-12 and Kansas City from 2013-15.
Smith is scheduled to be arraigned in Pasadena on Sept. 29. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.
Cutler debuts in Dolphins’ loss
Jay Cutler ran onto the field with the Dolphins for the first time, and the fans greeted their new quarterback with a loud ovation. They didn’t have much else to cheer about over the next three hours.
Ryan Mallett threw for 113 yards and a touchdown, and the visiting Baltimore Ravens beat Miami 31-7 in the second preseason game for both teams.
Cutler played the first two series for the Dolphins, his debut as injured starter Ryan Tannehill’s replacement in Miami. He was 3-of-6 for 24 yards, some of it in a no-huddle tempo, and his highlight play was one that didn’t count. Facing a thirdand-16, Cutler stepped up and found DeVante Parker for what would have been a 31-yard gain — one erased by a holding flag.
Bortles’ job could be in jeopardy
Jacksonville Jaguars backup quarterback Chad Henne got some work with the first-team offense Thursday night against Tampa Bay, fueling speculation about Blake Bortles’ grasp on the starting job.
Henne entered late in the second quarter, after Bortles played four series that ended in punts. Even though the decision had been planned, it surely creates the appearance that coach Doug Marrone and football czar Tom Coughlin are wavering in their commitment to Bortles.
Bortles was 8-of-13 for 65 yards against the Bucs.