The Indianapolis Colts have had a surprisingly tough time winning games early on this season, but still somehow find themselves in first place. Quarterback Andrew Luck has missed time this season, and was said to have played with cracked ribs, but is now expected to miss at least a month with a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle.
Luck suffered the injury in the Colts' upset win over the Denver Broncos last Sunday and is officially listed as out 2-6 weeks. The injury took place in the fourth quarter when Luck took a hit from Broncos' linebacker Danny Trevathan on a second-and-nine play. He would remain in the game to lead his team to the upset victory.
The Colts starter has already missed two weeks earlier this season with a shoulder injury, and once again Matt Hasselback will take over in Luck's absence. Hasselback won both starts earlier this year for Indianapolis.
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano announced the news on Tuesday and said that his quarterback will not require surgery. He still called the injury "one heck of a blow", but expects his team to get through it.
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen suffered a similar kidney injury earlier this season, and the team was forced to place him on season-ending injured reserve. Allen was told by doctors that he would miss at least six weeks, and may still not be cleared for contact by then. It is unknown if Luck's injury is as severe as Allen's, but the added abdominal injury won't help the healing process.
The Colts sit one game under .500 at 4-5, but are lucky enough to be in the AFC South, which is the weakest division in the league, and sit in first place, a half game ahead of the Houston Texans. They enter a bye week coming up, but will return to action without Luck on November 22nd as they visit the Atlanta Falcons.
Luck suffered the injury in the Colts' upset win over the Denver Broncos last Sunday and is officially listed as out 2-6 weeks. The injury took place in the fourth quarter when Luck took a hit from Broncos' linebacker Danny Trevathan on a second-and-nine play. He would remain in the game to lead his team to the upset victory.
The Colts starter has already missed two weeks earlier this season with a shoulder injury, and once again Matt Hasselback will take over in Luck's absence. Hasselback won both starts earlier this year for Indianapolis.
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano announced the news on Tuesday and said that his quarterback will not require surgery. He still called the injury "one heck of a blow", but expects his team to get through it.
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen suffered a similar kidney injury earlier this season, and the team was forced to place him on season-ending injured reserve. Allen was told by doctors that he would miss at least six weeks, and may still not be cleared for contact by then. It is unknown if Luck's injury is as severe as Allen's, but the added abdominal injury won't help the healing process.
The Colts sit one game under .500 at 4-5, but are lucky enough to be in the AFC South, which is the weakest division in the league, and sit in first place, a half game ahead of the Houston Texans. They enter a bye week coming up, but will return to action without Luck on November 22nd as they visit the Atlanta Falcons.
