At this point in time I don't believe Ballard lies. It's part of his make up to be straight with people, one of the reasons players like the guy. He also isn't going to blab everything he knows. I take him at his word that they really aren't sure when Luck will be back. I think this will be a big hit if he doesn't get back to state the obvious. If, a big if, we truly are a super bowl contenders (I'm thinking we are a playoff team but a year away to truly compete) we should be able to withstand losing Luck for a while. A huge test for the coaching staff and organization as a whole. Luck's career doesn't seem in jeopardy. This is just a huge bump in the road for us. Remember what last year at this time felt like?

I don't think Ballard lies. I think Luck has a weird body and is a slow healer (don't confuse that with being a wuss; dude is tougher than shit), and Irsay/Luck/Ballard are rarely on the same communication page.

I agree, I think Ballard tries to shoot as straight as he can in a given moment of time.

Reich just gave an interview from camp...

"Andrew Luck is a superior human, both mentally and physically, so you know whenever he comes back, you hope that's WEEKS, then you know he's going to ramp up faster than others. You hope it's a week and that's all it takes".

To me, this sounds like a group of guys in a room following this latest examp by specialist. Irsay, Ballard, Reich, chief of medical staff.

"So, this is what we found, options are do nothing intrusive and try more rehab for the the next week, if it resolves he needs "XXX" before he can take the field so the best case is "X # of weeks without him". Surgery, that's going to put him down for "X" months, so that's starting rehab here, and he's not playing until at least "X".

And it sounds to me like the three talking heads are trying to keep that optimistic time table while also setting the stage that he may be shelved for an extended period...

Y'all are losing your minds. I'll wait until week one before I lose mine.

Yep. They’ve said he can throw without pain. It’s the lateral movement in the pocket that’s the concern.

Now that they know it’s the high ankle area, they can try some other things to alleviate or stabilize.

Don't forget the team Doctors, Moe, Larry, Curley and Shep !!

Irsay and any one else is seldom on the same planet.

But that’s OK he’s pretty cool

Reich says they need to know one way or the other by the end of the 3rd preseason game. That gives them two weeks to prepare for San Diego.

The third preseason game is in 10 days, August 25th. I don’t see any way this is resolved by then.

In fact, if it’s not, I can see the Colts putting him on the PUP list. I now see that as a distinct possibility.

PUP would put him out until Week 7. That won't happen unless he goes under the knife.

He's not going on the PUP.

This is not that big of a deal IF they truly have figured out what is causing the pain.

He's been out on the field, throwing. Thats been fine. As long as they have figured out its not a danger to the ligement or tendon, the pain can be managed.

And to the comment about the Indy docs, they are pretty good. They have a high standing not only in the state but in the country.