Shaquem makes impact in opener
On Friday, ESPN aired a segment in which he played himself in the Madden video game for the first time.
Shaquem downplayed his meteoric rise.
“I just played football,’’ he told the team’s official website after Thursday’s performance. “Me just being here, it’s amazing, and it’s a blessing. I give all thanks to God, but I’m just here to play football.’’
As for Luck, he could feel the pressure building as he prepared Thursday for his first game action with Indianapolis since the final week of the 2016 season.
When he let go of trying to contain his excitement, the pressure was released.
“I really enjoyed it. I didn’t quite know I’d have this much fun getting practice again. I didn’t know I’d have this much fun even playing football,” Luck said. “It’s a preseason game. I’m not going to blow anything out of proportion, but it’s still a game, a chance to go up against another color jersey. It was a fun step along the way.”
Luck led Indianapolis on a pair of field-goal drives in just over a quarter. His reintroduction as the Colts’ leader started with a 17-yard swing pass to Marlon Mack on the first play. It concluded early in the second quarter when his pass intended for T.Y. Hilton was broken up. In between, Luck was bear-hugged by Seattle All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner on a scramble run, sacked by Rasheem Green, and also showed flashes his surgically repaired right shoulder is ready to allow him to again be a premier quarterback. Luck completed six of nine passes for 64 yards, most of that coming on the opening drive when he hit five of seven. Luck completed passes to five receivers.