Insider: As Andrew Luck questions linger, Colts QBs struggle

INDIANAPOLIS – If you came to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday hoping to find a quarterback clinic, it took about three minutes of action to confirm you’d made a gross miscalculation.

Oh, the Indianapolis Colts have their share of quarterbacks – they have three on the roster behind injured starter Andrew Luck – they just didn’t do a very fine job of, you know, quarterbacking on Sunday.

This 24-10 loss to the Detroit Lions in the Colts’ preseason opener was played with Luck on the sideline, where he’s been since January. And it inspired little confidence in the Colts’ ability to win a game without their Pro Bowl signal caller under center.

And that's something they might still need to do.

More:

Pat McAfee enjoys watching the Colts from his couch

Irsay: Andrew Luck questionable for opener but progression could not be better

Love our Colts coverage? Download the free INSports app

Box score: Lions 24, Colts 10

Owner Jim Irsay reiterated Sunday what we’ve continued to hear in recent weeks: The Colts can’t commit to Luck recovering from shoulder surgery in time to start the Sept. 10 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

“We always knew it would be a borderline thing,” Irsay said.

On the field, if you were looking for signs the Colts might be able to compete without Luck in the lineup – or even if you were merely seeking a few first downs – the Colts’ trio of quarterbacks struggled to provide them.

“As a quarterback, our job is to move the chains,” said veteran Scott Tolzien, who started the game. “To me, that’s how you evaluate it. And we didn’t do that. So, we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

The Colts’ starting offense, such as it was given several key injuries, was a bit of a mess. The unit generated six total yards in its first two possessions, both of which went three-and-out and ended with punts.

Tolzien threw his best pass of the day to tight end Brandon Williams, a 20-yard strike down the seam, on the first play of the Colts’ third possession. But that was the only highlight to speak of in Tolzien’s 11 snaps. The damage: 2-of-5 for 24 yards and certainly no touchdowns.

To be fair to Tolzien, there were many mitigating factors to consider. For one, his offensive line was missing starters Ryan Kelly and Joe Haeg, and the defensive pressure leaked through accordingly. But the quarterback must rise above those circumstances. Just ask Luck after all his years of coping with the offensive-line carnage around him, yet still managing to make game-changing plays.

Coach Chuck Pagano, in trying to assess his quarterbacks as a group, said afterward, “Collectively, as a unit, obviously, we have to be better.”

Especially if Luck is going to be out, which remains a distinct possibility.

That fact made it noteworthy that Irsay, even after witnessing the undistinguished play of his team’s quarterbacks, still had the nerve to look into the camera’s bright lights and say he feels his team is equipped to win without Luck.

“I think that we are,” he said.

There were reasons to believe the defense has a chance to fulfill its potential for improvement after last season’s wretched unit was dismantled. Cornerback Vontae Davis’ pass deflection of Matthew Stafford’s pass attempt on the game’s opening series was intercepted by linebacker John Simon. And rookies Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson mixed it up in the secondary, granted with varying results.

Still, Irsay, it appears, is a man of great faith. Because Sunday’s game did not offer many indications this team can survive even a short period without Luck. Not when Tolzien was in the game, not when rookie Phillip Walker was in the game and not when young veteran Stephen Morris was in the game. Cumulatively, the Colts’ quarterbacks had a 65.4 passer rating, averaging an anemic 4.5 yards per pass attempt. Through three quarters, the Colts had converted exactly six first downs.

The Colts certainly aren’t admitting any concerns. But the truth is they considered their options at quarterback during the offseason. And that strongly suggests concerns exist about the viability of their current quarterbacks. Irsay said the team negotiated with an unnamed, older veteran quarterback but moved on when the player asked for more money than the Colts were willing to commit to a stopgap. That, however, begs a question: Why not move on to the next guy on their list of free-agent quarterbacks?

Irsay didn’t explain the logic, but it’s clear the Colts long ago made a decision to sit tight with their current group.

Last month, General Manager Chris Ballard said, “Like any position, we want to create competition. … But right now, we’re at where we’re at and we’re going to roll with the three guys we’ve got.”

Do the Colts have enough? Sunday only raised doubts.

Follow IndyStar Colts Insider Stephen Holder on Twitter and Facebook.