Luck still not throwing, but Colts confident in his health

Indianapolis Colts general manager said quarterback Andrew Luck is still not throwing regulation footballs as he rehabs his right shoulder, but the team remains confident Luck will make a full recovery.

As evidence of the team's faith, Ballard pointed to the trade with the New York Jets last month, in which Indianapolis picked up three second-round picks to move from No. 3 to No. 6 in the first round of Thursday's draft.

"We traded the third pick in the draft to move back to 6," Ballard told reporters at his pre-draft press conference Friday. "I think that said we're pretty confident in where he's at."

The move made it clear the Colts do not intend to draft a quarterback high in the first round, despite several prospects potentially available who are considered worth of early selections.

Luck, 28, hasn't thrown an NFL football since October and hasn't played in a game since New Year's Day of 2017, but the team is not rushing his recovery. After his initial surgery in January 2017, Luck suffered a setback two weeks after returning to practice in October and has since taken more gradual steps in preparing to return.

Ballard said the team will "let the process play out the right way."

"(We are) very comfortable where he's at," he said. "Working on his strength part of it, throwing motion. But he's in a good spot, guys. I feel good where he's at, feel good about where he's going. Keep working and getting back to playing football. His health is our No. 1 priority.

"...A lot pressed last year, he pressed to get back. Everybody heals at a different rate, Things didn't work out where he could play last year. Step-by-step, he's not going to skip a step this time. Not that he did last time, but he wanted to play. I think he's going take every step necessary to be ready to go and to be ready."

Earlier this month, Luck declined to share his expected timetable, but he said he wants to begin training camp "without a governor," hoping to be practicing fully without restrictions.

While the trade-down with the Jets demonstrated confidence in Luck, the Colts have not yet discarded their safety net at QB despite the possibility of a substantial return. The Indianapolis Star reported in March that the team resisted trade overtures this offseason for backup Jacoby Brissett, who started 15 games in Luck's absence in 2017.

Brissett, 24, is under contract for about $1.6 million over the next two seasons, making him one of the league's most affordable backup plans. He completed 58.8 percent of his passes for 3,098 yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions while taking a league-high 52 sacks in his first year with the Colts.

--Field Level Media