Indianapolis Colts fans received some great news on Friday, as GM Chris Ballard (via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport), said that quarterback Andrew Luck is ready to go for training camp, and he won't be limited in any form.
Luck, who turns 29 in September, missed all of 2017 following offseason shoulder surgery. The team used Jacoby Brissett as quarterback, but they slumped to a miserable 4-12 record. Luck only began to start throwing footballs again recently, but it's an extremely encouraging sign that he's good to go in training camp now.
When healthy, Luck has been one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks. He led the Colts to three consecutive 11-win seasons and playoff berths from 2012-14, and led the NFL with 40 touchdown passes in the 2014 season.
However, Luck missed nine games in 2015 after suffering a lacerated kidney, and the Colts missed the postseason. He returned to form in 2016 with 4,240 yards, 31 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions, but the Colts missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
Luck will be working with a revamped Colts team, should he return in time to start the 2018 season. Future Hall of Famer running back Frank Gore is gone, as is No. 2 wide receiver, Donte Moncrief. The Colts also fired head coach Chuck Pagano and replaced him with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, who helped the team win Super Bowl 52 behind backup quarterback Nick Foles.
If Luck is healthy, the Colts will have a legitimate shot at competing for the postseason, but his long-term health is the top priority. If Indianapolis doesn't think he's ready to start the season, they'll have to roll with Brissett once again.
Luck was considered a generational talent out of Stanford when the Colts drafted him first overall in 2012. The organization can only hope that his shoulder will be fully recovered, and that Luck can lead them back to championship contention in 2018 and beyond.