Jim Irsay Certain Andrew Luck Will Return from Shoulder Injury This Season

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay continued to espouse optimism that quarterback Andrew Luck will be healthy in time for the start of the 2018 season. 

According to CNHI Sports Indiana's George Bremer, Irsay said Saturday that he's "as sure as a human being can be" that Luck will be back this year. 

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported in January that Luck, who missed all of last season because of surgery on his right shoulder, was "very close" to throwing again. 

However, Bremer observed Luck at the Colts' veteran minicamp earlier this week and noted the signal-caller was not throwing the ball, "not even to play catch during warmups." 

Colts general manager Chris Ballard confirmed that while Luck has yet to begin a throwing program, "a lot of the exercises he’s doing is conducive to the same thing," according to ESPN.com's Mike Wells. 

If Luck returns this season, he will be welcomed by a refurbished offensive line that has been bolstered by first-round pick Quenton Nelson and second-rounder Braden Smith. 

In his last full season as the Colts' starter, Luck completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 4,240 yards, 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.