Jim Irsay Won't Be in Colts' 2024 NFL Draft Room Amid Rehab for Back Surgery

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay won't be present in the team's war room during the 2024 NFL draft.

The 64-year-old told ESPN's Stephen Holder he's still recovering from "major surgery" on his back, which continues to limit his mobility.

"The main thing is I'm just following my doctors' orders and just making sure the bottom line is just to get back to 100 percent and to do the things they say," he said. "I'm just being a good patient and trying to make sure I can get back sooner than later. I'll get back on the golf course sooner than later.

"It's going fine. It's just a test of patience."

The Colts possess one pick in each of the seven rounds of the 2024 draft. In general, they don't have as much staked in this year's edition as it did last spring.

Irsay, the front office and coaching staff spent the 2023 pre-draft process weighing the quarterback options, and their decision would alter the franchise's outlook for a long time. Anthony Richardson was limited to four games as a rookie, but the early returns are promising.

"We've just literally scratched the surface on what we know we can be in the Anthony Richardson era," Irsay said to Holder. "I think that the fans got a taste and now we can tell how excited they are. So, it's going to be a great year, and I think we want to see what happens when you have a guy like him play in the full season. It's going to be really exciting."

It's doubtful Indianapolis will be able to get the same kind of foundational talent with its first-rounder this time around. Alabama edge-rusher Dallas Turner was the pick for Indy at No. 15 in Bleacher Report's most recent mock draft.

Irsay will still be able to follow the action as it's unfolding in the Colts' war room. He told Holder he'll speak virtually with general manager Chris Ballard, head coach Shane Steichen and other team officials when necessary throughout the draft.