The Indianapolis Colts are hoping that Andrew Luck can return to game action soon, as the quarterback has returned to practice and is "closer" to getting back on the field. Matt Hasselbeck is coming into Week 15 banged up with injuries, but head coach Chuck Pagano said that he expects the quarterback to be "available" on Sunday against the Texans.
According to NFL.com, Luck has returned to practice on Wednesday and was wearing a red, no-contact jersey for the portion of the workout open for the media. Luck has been dealing with kidney and abdominal injuries and has not played since Week 9 against the Broncos. While there is a chance that Luck could return to play this weekend, the Colts have given no indication that he will play.
Luck first needed to be cleared to practice before he had a chance to even play and now that he has been cleared to do that, the team could see how he looks ahead of the weekend before making a final decision. Luck and Matt Hasselbeck are both banged up and if they are out for Sunday, Charlie Whitehurst likely would get the start for the team. Hasselbeck is dealing with a rib injury and was seen wearing a sling earlier in the week.
Pagano said that he hopes to have Hasselbeck "available" for Sunday and that he will not be practicing with the team on Wednesday. Pagano said he was "hopeful" that Hasselbeck could play and that he "fully anticipates him being available for us." While there is a chance that Luck could return this week, it's more likely that the Colts will be cautious, as Luck said last week that he is not yet close to being 100 percent, although the return to practice is a good sign for his recovery.
Earlier in the week the Colts were very coy about Luck and his status, saying that Luck had not yet been cleared to play or practice yet. Reports from Indy had Luck potentially out for the rest of the season, but the return to practice is a positive step for him returning at some point this year. The Colts are locked in a tight race for the AFC South and if the team makes the playoffs it gives Luck more time to recover if he can't return during the regular season.
Frank Gore and TY Hilton remain the best fantasy options for the Colts and if Luck is out again, the team will need those players to step up. The team is tied with the Texans with a 6-7 record in the AFC South, but the Colts won the first head-to-head matchup, giving them a major advantage coming into the game. But the Texans could leap over the Colts with a win, making this a crucial matchup in the division.
