INDIANAPOLIS — Andrew Luck's path back from offseason shoulder surgery has taken him to a completely different continent.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, asked on Monday for a status update on Luck's rehab work, said the quarterback is "doing fine" and is in constant communication with team medical personnel as he pursues treatment in Europe.
"(He's) communicating via e-mail and text; making progress," Pagano said. "I think everybody knows — he's in Europe somewhere, getting some great treatment."
Luck underwent surgery to his throwing shoulder in January and had been trying to work his way back to the field until Nov. 2, when the team decided to place the three-time Pro Bowler on injured reserve and officially end any chance of a return to the practice or game field this season.
Luck, who missed the 2017 offseason workout program, training camp, preseason and the first few weeks of the regular season, was able to return to practice, albeit in a very limited role, early in October; by the next week, he was able to increase his workload a little bit by facing a live defense for the first time all year, as he took a few snaps as the scout team quarterback in 7-on-7 team drills.
But on Oct. 18, Colts general manager Chris Ballard announced Luck would be held out of practice after he had a cortisone injection to address some soreness in his surgically-repaired right shoulder. After a couple weeks, the team decided it was in everybody's best interests to shut the quarterback down for the year and continue the rehab process.
Upon being placed on IR, Luck said he remained "very optimistic" about his future.
"I wish I was better and 100 percent this season, but that's not the case," Luck told Colts.com on Nov. 2. "I know I'll be better from this. I know I'll be a better quarterback, teammate, person and player from this, and I'm excited for the future."
