With Colts quarterback Andrew Luck in limbo, could Matt Hasselbeck fill the void?

The first time they got a chance to talk didn’t come until the end of the workout Thursday, when the Indianapolis Colts' two quarterbacks stood on the sideline and watched the final few plays of practice. That’s when Andrew Luck mentioned to Matt Hasselbeck how bored he was.

“I feel for you,” Hasselbeck remembers Luck saying. “I didn’t realize what it was like when you don’t get every single snap in practice.”

Hasselbeck laughed. He might as well have said, “Welcome to my world, kid.”

For the second consecutive day, Luck, the Colts’ franchise quarterback, did more watching than throwing, still hampered by that sore throwing shoulder. It’s a new world for him – typically Hasselbeck, Luck’s backup, has to beg for a snap or two with the first-team offense during practice, and even then Luck doesn’t always cooperate. He takes pride in his availability: every snap, every practice, every game, every season.

Luck was officially listed as limited on Thursday’s injury report, further muddying his availability for the team’s home game Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If he doesn’t play, consider this: It would the first start Luck has missed since 2009, his freshman season at Stanford, when an injured finger kept him out of a bowl game against Oklahoma.

That’s a span of 86 games.

That’s durability.

Unfortunately for Luck, Thursday was an identical afternoon to Wednesday: He stood in the background while Hasselbeck and practice squad QB Alex Tanney threw with the offense. Luck took snaps, but when he did, he handed or pitched the ball off. During the portion of Thursday’s practice available to the media, Luck didn’t throw a single time.

Not 24 hours after Luck said he hoped to see more involvement in practice, it didn’t happen.

“I think it’s a first since I’ve been here,” offered left tackle Anthony Castonzo, drafted by the team in 2011.

While Luck’s status remains in limbo, the onus shifts to Hasselbeck, his 40-year-old backup with 16 seasons under his belt, 12 as a starter. Hasselbeck came to Indianapolis in 2013 because he believed it would be his last stop on his NFL odyssey, and he believed this team, with this quarterback, gave him the best shot to win the prize that has eluded him his entire career: a Lombardi Trophy.

He has seen action in seven games for the Colts since, all in mop-up duty, and completed 37 passes in 56 attempts to go with two touchdowns and an interception. Asked Thursday if he believes he could step in – in the case Luck does not play – and deliver, Hasselbeck didn’t flinch. It’s why he’s here.

“That’s my job,” he said. “I need to do that. It’s one of the things required by my job. If necessary, I’ll be ready to go.”

But to a man, the Colts are expecting Luck to be out there. And why wouldn’t they? He has made 57 straight starts to begin his NFL career, and done so despite a shaky offensive line that can’t avoid keeping him off the turf. Luck’s assuredly been dinged up before, whether he’s been listed on the injury report or not. If he’s out there Sunday, it won’t be the first time he’s playing with pain.

“He’s our bell cow,” said linebacker Robert Mathis. “He’ll be in the mix.”

“We’re counting on him to be out there,” added Castonzo.

“I’m sure Andrew is going to try and play, and I expect Andrew to play,” said Hasselbeck.

Castonzo was also quick to point out Luck’s toughness. He’s seen it every day since Luck arrived as a rookie in 2012.

“He’s a solid athlete, not just a quarterback,” Castonzo said. “He does take some hits and we’d prefer him not to. It’s personal when you see him getting hit. (The offensive line) has got to step up our game, too. I’m sure he plays with more dings than anybody knows.”

Will Luck play with more dings on Sunday?

Or will it be the rarest of sights: Luck standing on the sideline, while the Colts lean on a backup quarterback for the first time since the disaster that was the 2011 season?

Said Castonzo: “If that does happen, we’re lucky to be on one of the few teams in the league with a more-than-capable backup.”

If worst comes to worst Sunday, the Colts are going to have to find out.

Roster moves

The Colts announced Thursday that they have elevated running back Zurlon Tipton to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and waived defensive end Earl Okine.

Call Star reporter Zak Keefer at (317) 444-6134. Follow him on Twitter: @zkeefer.