Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck said this week he is “absolutely approaching” the point that he will throw for the first time since his January shoulder surgery.

Sometime in July seems on target for the procedure he had, but he does not have a chance to be full go for the start of training camp. If things break the Colts’ way, their starting QB could still play Week 1.

However, Luck’s arm will need to continue to get stronger as the year progresses.

Now, why is Luck so far behind Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton? After all, Newton underwent his shoulder procedure three months later than Luck but is on the verge of throwing.


The two surgeries were on different parts of the shoulder and were not the same procedures.Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed that Luck had labrum repair surgery, while Newton’s procedure was a debridement of the rotator cuff.

The big difference is that Luck needed sutures and, thus, extended time for healing, while Newton’s recovery does not involve waiting for tissue regrowth.

The labrum is fibrous tissue that deepens the glenoid (socket) to help hold the humeral head (ball) in place. However, the shoulder is not a true ball and socket joint, like the hip joint is, but rather more golf ball (humeral head) on a tee (glenoid).

A labral tear essentially means the tee (glenoid) is chipped, making it hard for the golf ball (humeral head) to stay in place. This shifting causes shoulder problems and the goal of repair is to stabilize the shoulder.


Luck had been playing with this injury since the second week of the 2015 season. Thus, it was an easy decision to undertake this major surgery for a throwing athlete and sacrifice the extended recovery time.

The Colts, who are historically secretive about injuries, have been adamant in claiming there is no firm timeline for throwing. That may be true, but it is virtually certain the medical staff has always had an expected timeframe in mind. It would be typical to not allow throwing until six months after surgery whereas rehabilitation on non-throwing athletes with the same procedure is quicker.

This means Luck could begin throwing in July, perhaps even a few weeks before the start of training camp. It is almost certain he starts camp on PUP.

Throwing is the hardest thing a shoulder does, and caution is imperative to avoid setback during recovery. With the labral repair, extended time is needed to allow the tissue to grow together. Only then can a throwing program be started.


When he does start throwing, Luck will need a minimum six-week throwing rehab program before rejoining the team in actual drills. Remember, recovery is not like a light switch where one day you can’t throw and the next you can be 100 percent. The reality is the body progresses more like a slow sunrise or dimmer switch.

Head coach Chuck Pagano has acknowledged Luck will be on a “pitch count” when he returns.

The good news here is that ultimately there is good chance for 100 percent return. Drew Brees and other throwers have overcome such surgery for successful careers.