D’Qwell Jackson was a respected member of the Indianapolis Colts defense for three seasons. During that time he got to know Andrew Luck well.

The former Pro Bowl linebacker retired this year at age 34. Last season was his curtain call and based on his impressions, it may have been for the star quarterback as well. Luck continues to sit out week after week with a persistent shoulder problem that cropped up last year. The fact he still hasn’t returned has begun to make a lot of people in the Colts organization and fan base nervous.

Missing him for the entire season would be bad enough, dropping them out of what looks to be another winnable division race. However, Jackson made it seem like given the state of things it’s not crazy to think Luck may be done permanently.

D'Qwell Jackson doesn't think Andrew Luck will be back. Yikes. #Colts (via GMFB) pic.twitter.com/6Q28jLVgRA — NFL Mocks Crew (@NFLMocks) October 28, 2017

Jackson makes a fair point. Luck hasn’t played or even practiced fully on a football field since December of last year. That’s a span of 10 months now. Word is he continues to experience shoulder soreness and there aren’t expectations he’ll be back anytime soon. At which point is it fair to start questioning whether he returns at all?

Shoulder problems are no joke, especially if they involve the throwing arm. Many a good quarterback have been undone by them. Another famous case was Greg Cook in Cleveland back in the 1960s. Like Luck he was viewed as the next all-time great. Then a shoulder injury ruined everything. Modern medicine can still help Luck, but it’s not a guarantee.

Indianapolis may soon have to confront the terrible reality that Luck isn’t the next Peyton Manning and start thinking about a success plan. Is Jacoby Brissett worth a long-term investment? Not an ideal situation for GM Chris Ballard. No doubt many hope Jackson is wrong about this.