Andrew Luck's Targeted Return from Shoulder Injury by Training Camp

The Indianapolis Colts are circling training camp as Andrew Luck's target for his return from a shoulder injury. 

"He's got a program specifically laid out that puts his timeline to be back at training camp," Colts general manager Chris Ballard said on PFT Live. "He didn't want to skip a step. I don't know if he skipped a step last year, but I think he felt the pressure of coming back. Not rushing...I don't want to say rushing. But, you know, he felt the pressure of coming back."

Ballard added that while Luck hasn't started throwing yet, he "looks the best" he's seen him to date. 

"This year, whenever he sat down with me in early January, he said, 'Look, I don't want to skip a step. I want to do this the right way.' And he's doing that," Ballard said. "He looks the best I've seen him. His body's in great shape. His arm feels really good. He's just taking it step by step. We're looking at training camp as our target date right now."

Luck had surgery on his right shoulder following the 2016 season, and he proceeded to miss the entire 2017 campaign even though owner Jim Irsay vowed he would be "completely healed" by Week 1. 

Irsay echoed that sentiment again in January when he said Luck would return with all the motivation he needs this coming season. 

"Andrew Luck is going to be back—and back with a fierce fire in his eyes, I promise you," he said, according to the Indianapolis Star's Zak Keefer. 

During his last full season, Luck completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 4,240 yards, 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. 

In the event Luck remains on the shelf longer than expected again, Jacoby Brissett should reprise his role as the Colts' stopgap starter. 

Dating back to 2012, the Colts are 43-27 with Luck active and 10-16 with him sidelined.