The Facts: Whether Luck makes his return in today's Hall of Fame game or later in the preseason, HC Chuck Pagano believes one change in his star quarterback's play style will be apparent. "He's not going to take the egregious hits anymore," Pagano told USA TODAY Sports after Friday's training camp practice. "He's sliding. He's perfecting that."
Diehards Line:
Getting folded up by Broncos defenders Danny Trevathan and Vance Walker on a scramble Nov. 8 left Luck with a lacerated kidney and partial abdominal tear. Luck finished the game -- a 27-24 upset of the eventual Super Bowl champs that was the highlight of the Colts’ disappointing 8-8 season -- but didn’t play again because the organ needed time to heal. Luck, 26, also battled a significant rib injury and a sore shoulder in easily the worst of his four NFL seasons, finishing with 15 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and a 74.9 passer rating in seven starts. He said Friday the kidney has fully healed, he’s weighing about 236 pounds as usual and he feels great entering his fifth NFL season – and first as football’s highest-paid player, having signed a five-year, $122.97 million contract extension in June.