Colts’ Andrew Luck seeking answers to pain; no practice this week

Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field after a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 10, 2017 in…

Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field after a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Indianapolis Colts 46-9. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

by: Mike Chappell

Posted: Oct 30, 2017 / 06:05 PM EDT

Updated: Oct 30, 2017 / 07:07 PM EDT

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The frustration in Chuck Pagano’s voice was palpable.

He announced Monday the Indianapolis Colts’ $140 million quarterback – that would be Andrew Luck – would miss a third straight week of practice, but offered no details. Luck already has sought the advice of several specialists to determine why he’s still experiencing pain in his surgically-repaired right shoulder.

“That is what it is,’’ Pagano said with a shrug. “It’s where we’re at with Andrew.’’

But exactly where is that?

The Colts are 2-6 at the halfway point of a season headed nowhere but to the top portion of the 2018 NFL Draft, and any chance of their franchise QB returning this season diminishes by the week.

At this point, it’s more likely Luck’s next start comes in September 2018 than in December.

“We’re going to exhaust all resources because the best interest is the player and it’s long term. We’ve said that,’’ Pagano said when asked about Luck seeking additional medical advice. “It’s for the next 10, 12 years for this guy, for any player.

“Before we put anybody out there, we’re going to make sure he’s right’’

Luck had surgery in mid-January to repair the posterior labrum in his right shoulder.

He practiced four times on a limited basis earlier this month, the first time Oct. 4, before soreness and inflammation in his right shoulder led to him receiving a cortisone shot the week of Oct. 16. General manager Chris Ballard announced Oct. 18 the team was “shutting down’’ the throwing portion of Luck’s rehab to allow the shoulder to calm down. He said the soreness and swelling were “natural’’ when a player is coming back from such an injury.

During a Monday evening appearance on “Colts Roundtable’’ on 1070 The Fan, Ballard said the team had hoped the cortisone injection would alleviate the pain and swelling and allow Luck to resume throwing.

“It hasn’t quite settled it down yet so we wanted to start getting some answers,’’ he said, adding Luck has visited “a couple of other doctors just to get some opinions, see where we’re at.

“Look, Andrew has exhausted every avenue to try to get ready and get back and play. And that was our hope also. We’ll have more answers as we go forward this week.’’

A possible scenario is for the Colts to shut down Luck for the remainder of the season and place him on the injured reserve list.

“We’re just trying to get him healthy right now,’’ Pagano said. “We’re not going to force the issue and put somebody out there that’s not ready, so obviously he’s not ready yet.

“We want the kid healthy. Nobody is more frustrated that him. He wants to be out there with his teammates battling. It isn’t fun for anybody.’’