Colts’ Luck feels injury-free

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS

Andrew Luck finally feels healthy again.

The three-time Pro Bowler, who missed nine games last season with an assortment of injuries, returned to a very different locker room Monday for the start of the Indianapolis Colts’ offseason workout program. He proclaimed himself ready to play.

“I still have some work to do certainly,” Luck said in his first substantial public comments since early January. “That being said, you’re always working to get better, you’re always working to feel better, you’re always working to be in better shape and be more physically fit.”

The team’s biggest offseason priority is making sure Luck is fully recovered from a lacerated kidney and partially torn abdominal muscle that kept him out of the final seven games last season, a right shoulder injury that forced him to miss the first two games of his career and an ankle injury.

The injuries led to the worst season of Luck’s pro career — just 15 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. The Colts wound up 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the first time in the Luck era after opening the season as a trendy Super Bowl pick.

Luck said Monday his kidney was fine and his shoulder feels “very good.”

“He was cheering with everyone out there and leading out there,” kicker Adam Vinatieri said. “It’s great having him back on the field.”

The fact that Luck still is not 100 percent demonstrates just how serious last season’s injuries were. At least he can start knocking items off an expansive to-do list.

In addition to Luck’s continuing workouts, he must break in a new backup quarterback. Matt Hasselbeck retired in February, and Indy signed free agent Scott Tolzien to presumably become the No. 2.

Luck also enters his fifth NFL season with a new quarterbacks coach for the first time in his career. Clyde Christensen left for Miami during the offseason and was replaced by Brian Schottenheimer, a former offensive coordinator with the Rams and Jets.