Colts’ confidence in Luck’s recovery prompted trade

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard keeps respond- ing to the same old questions about Andrew Luck with the same old answers.

No, he’s not concerned. Yes, Luck’s recovery remains on track. And, of course, Bal- lard expects to see his star quarterback taking snaps pretty confident with where this season. he’s at.”

Now Ballard is doing more Last month, Indy swapped than just talking. He’s actu- first-round picks with the ally building his draft strat- New York Jets and added egy around Luck’s expected two second-round picks this return from a partially torn year and another in 2018. labrum in his throwing shoulThere are plenty of reader. sons for doubts about Luck’s

“We traded the third pick status, though. of the draft to move back to He still hasn’t started six,” Ballard said Friday. “I throwing full-size footballs thought that said we were and there’s no indication he will participate in any of the Colts’ offseason work. The last time Luck threw a regulation ball was in October — until lingering soreness forced him to be shut down and seek additional medical opinions before moving his rehab to Europe.

The problem then, Luck has said, was he tried to expe- dite the recovery. Instead, it cost him the rest of the season. To critics, all this sounds

If he starts Sept. 9 against familiar. It’s the essentially Cincinnati, as hoped, it the same commentary Balwould mark the first time lard provided 12 months ago. he’s played in 21 months — This time could be different. and the first time since Bal“A lot of the exercises he’s lard accepted Indy’s job in doing are conducive to the January 2017 that he’s actu- same thing (throwing),” Balally seen Luck in uniform. lard said. “I think it (a set

Again, Ballard declined to back) would have shown up provide a projected timetawith the work he’s doing ble for Luck’s expected profrom a strength standpoint, gression. absolutely.”