Andrew Luck eagerly awaits first regular-season start in 20 months

INDIANAPOLIS—Andrew Luck traipses across the locker room with a little extra pep in his step these days.

It’s obvious from the smile that the Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback is content to put on his shoulder pads, prepare for practice and get ready to make his first regular-season start in more than 20 months.

Sure, there were times Luck questioned when or even if this day would come, whether he could regain the Pro Bowl form from his first three pro seasons after shoulder surgery and whether those regular pregame jitters he craves would again be part of his gameday routine.

Now, just a few days away from facing Cincinnati’s defense, Luck looks and sounds like the confident leader everyone expects him to be this season.

“I think everybody knows how great a quarterback he is. He’s been out for a little while so I think they’re probably waiting to see if he’s back, healthy, ready to go,” kicker Adam Vinatieri said. “Everything that we’ve seen this offseason through minicamp, training camp tells me he’s ready to rock and roll and be the Andrew we all know he can be.”

Luck understands just how heavily scrutinized these first few games will be.

He anticipates a litany of questions about his health, the subtle changes he’s made to his throwing motion after working out with former major league pitcher Tom House, his ability to bounce up after big hits and whether using the sidelines and baseball slides will change his approach to the game.

After all, it was the hit he took from behind in the third preseason game that caused a minor foot injury that forced him out of two practices last week. But the fact he is talking about his foot rather than lingering pain in his right shoulder certainly is a sign of progress.