Colts QB Luck out 2-6 weeks with lacerated kidney, partially torn ab muscle

  • Associated Press
  • Tuesday, November 10, 2015 8:19pm
  • SportsSports

INDIANAPOLIS — Two days after celebrating their biggest win of the season, the Indianapolis Colts dealt with their biggest loss.

Franchise quarterback Andrew Luck is expected to miss at least two to six weeks with a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle, injuries he sustained late in Sunday’s victory over Denver.

“When you take a hit to a franchise quarterback, it is a tough blow,” coach Chuck Pagano said Tuesday. “We’ve been through a lot in this 2015 season, but I know this will galvanize us even more.”

Pagano said he believed Luck was injured in the first minute of the fourth quarter when he tried to scramble for a first down near the Denver goal line. Linebacker Danny Trevathan squared up on Luck from the front while defensive end Vance Walker hit Luck hard on the side of his left shoulder, bending him over awkwardly.

The hit drew immediately drew gasps inside Lucas Oil Stadium. But Luck broke the 17-17 tie on the next play with an 8-yard pass to Ahmad Bradshaw, his second TD throw of the game. He never came out and continued to take some big hits.

Afterward, Pagano said, Luck complained of soreness. When he arrived at the team complex Monday feeling worse, Luck was sent for additional tests that revealed the injuries. Luck is not expected to need surgery. He was not available in the locker room Monday and did not mention any potential injury in his postgame news conference.

The six-week timetable could be aggressive because the Colts will be cautious about bringing Luck back.

“We’re going to keep listening to the doctors and evaluating his progress on a week-by-week basis,” Pagano said. “We’ve got all the confidence in the world in Matt Hasselbeck and we’re not going to put Andrew back out there until he’s healed and ready to go.”

The timing couldn’t be worse for Indianapolis (4-5), which was hoping to return form this week’s bye and build momentum with a favorable schedule. Instead, one week after firing offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and replacing him with Rob Chudzinski, the Colts are now forced into making a quarterback change.

The 40-year-old Hasselbeck takes over, as he did last month when Luck missed two games with an injured right shoulder. Hasselbeck won both.

Indy took another precaution Tuesday by bringing former Monmouth quarterback Alex Tanney back to the practice squad. He spent three weeks in Indy earlier this season, none of it on the active roster. Luck, Hasselbeck and Tanney are the only quarterbacks on the team after Indy released former Wisconsin-Whitewater star Matt Blanchard from the practice squad Tuesday.

“We’ve got all the confidence in the world in Matt,” Pagano said. “Matt will step right in, he will do a great job and we will win football games with Matt.”

Hasselbeck was 48 of 76 with 495 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in his only action this season, and having a bye week to work with Chudzinski could help make the transition smoother.

Playing behind a struggling offensive line has taken a toll on the Luck this season.

He missed the first two games of his four-year career after getting hurt at Tennessee on Sept. 27. When Luck did return, he still didn’t look right. Then last week, he was listed on the injury report with a bad ankle. He started, finished and won Sunday’s game, looking more like the promising young quarterback that people expected.

There has been speculation about possible fractured ribs and a more serious shoulder injury than the Colts first acknowledged.

“We will overcome this and Andrew will make a full recovery and he will be back in the lineup at some point,” Pagano said. “But we will overcome.”

In the AFC South, the league’s worst division, Indy still holds a one-game lead over Houston and has a capable backup to run the show until Luck returns.

“It is one heck of a blow,” Pagano said. “You don’t want to lose anybody. Our guys will respond, like they always do. We’ve been through a ton already this season and in the past and we’ll get through it.”

Notes: Colts players were off Tuesday and won’t return to the team complex until next week. … Indy made two other practice squad moves Tuesday, signing safety Dezmen Southward and releasing offensive lineman Kitt O’Brien. Southward grew up in Indianapolis and played 18 NFL games before being waived by Atlanta last week. It could be a safety net for Indy after Pro Bowler Mike Adams went down with an ankle injury in the first half of Sunday’s game.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Kraken rally to force overtime, fall in shootout

Streaking Red Wings too much for young Kraken lineup that showed some promise.

Slivertips’ Clarke Schaefer tries to maneuver around Medicine Hat’s Josh Van Mulligen during the game on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips Week in Review: Everett splits slate in high-scoring week

The Silvertips were outscored 24-18 in four games this week, losing two to the next-best WHL teams

Everett Silvertips’ Landon DuPont during the game against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips’ DuPont becomes first rookie D to score 50 points in 35 years

The 15-year-old star defenseman joined Scott Niedermayer in exclusive company with an assist Sunday.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto believes players like Jorge Polanco (7) will enjoy bounceback seasons in 2025. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Despite quiet Mariners offseason, Jerry Dipoto confident

With the pre-spring training luncheon and news conference no longer an annual… Continue reading

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Jan. 26-Feb. 1

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Jan. 26-Feb. 1. Voting closes… Continue reading

Monroe’s Halle Keller drives to the hoop during the game against Snohomish on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 3

Stanwood, Snohomish, Monroe girls dominate.

Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak adds to staff

New play-caller for Seattle’s offense brings in familiarity from Saints.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.