Luck hopes to be ready when camp opens

Andrew Luck said all the right things Monday. He feels good, hopes to be full go when training camp begins and believes he will be a better overall quarterback when he returns.

All he has to do now is prove it.

For the first time in more than three months, Luck fielded questions from Indianapolis reporters about his surgically repaired right shoulder and explained his longer-than-expected recovery might have been at least partially the result of his desire to come back too quickly.

“I think I pushed a little too hard at times. Your body, as I’m learning, will tell you no at certain times and you just have to listen to it,” Luck said as the Colts started their offseason work.

“I’ve gone and skipped steps before and paid for it. Been in pain and not able to help the team. Embarrassed, guilty, whatever. I’m not going to do that again.”

Luck didn’t go into specifics about what he would, could or should have done differently after initially hurting the shoulder in September 2015.

In 2016, he started 15 games and had his best statistical season despite continued pain. He hasn’t taken a snap since having surgery for a partially torn labrum in January 2017, and he still isn’t throwing regulation-size footballs. He has been limited to working with miniature footballs this offseason.

Luck sounds more confident about himself and his shoulder than he did last offseason.

“I feel stronger, I feel more fit,” he said. “I feel way more confident in myself and I don’t look at my shoulder and say, ‘Why are you failing me?’ like the guy in ‘The Old Man and the Sea.’ I feel like I have a bit more grasp of the situation. There is still a bit of a journey left and I’m not going to skip any steps.”

Reid visits Cincinnati: The Bengals hosted safety Eric Reid. It was the first visit Reid, 26, has taken this offseason.

Reid is an unrestricted free agent and spent the first five years of his career with the 49ers. A first-round pick in 2013, Reid made the Pro Bowl that season and has 10 career interceptions.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals might be simply testing the waters to see if there is a fit for both sides.

Other NFL teams apparently have been reluctant to look at Reid because of his kneeling during the national anthem to protest police killings of African American men.

The Enquirer said it learned a contract is not immediately forthcoming.

Detroit signs Cassel: The Lions bolstered their backup options at quarterback and wide receiver.

Detroit signed Matt Cassel, adding depth behind Matthew Stafford. The Lions also resigned restricted free agent TJ Jones, giving Stafford another target in the passing game.

Cassel played sparingly the past two seasons in Tennessee. The Titans released him this year, making him an unrestricted free agent. The 13-year veteran also has played for Dallas, Buffalo, Minnesota, Kansas City and New England.

Briefly: The Jets signed free-agent wide receiver Charles Johnson and linebacker Kevin Minter. ... The Cowboys signed former Jets defensive end Kony Ealy.