The Facts: Almost 10 months removed from surgery on his right shoulder, Luck still hadn't recovered to the point that he could throw without soreness. A cortisone shot didn't alleviate the pain, leading to the final decision that Luck needed even more recovery time. "We all were optimistic that this was going to work out sooner than later," general manager Chris Ballard told media Thursday. "But unfortunately, everybody's human body is different and we are where we are." Translation, according to Sporting News staffer Alex Marvez: The Colts are facing the possibility of Luck never playing again at a high level and being on the hook for $87 million in salary guaranteed against injury.

Diehards Line: He was placed on injured reserve on Thursday. Because of the way the Colts publicly handled this situation, Marvez will believe Luck is ready to roll only if/when he’s back under center in 2018. Ballard said the franchise has not tried to “mislead” anyone about Luck’s status along the way. That’s fair because Ballard was always measured in his Luck comments and things can change when the recovery timetable is thrown off-track after injured players suffer setbacks in rehabilitation. But, as pointed out by the Indianapolis Star, the Colts raised false hopes about Luck’s status since the summer. Whatever the case, Marvez notes the medical prognosis on Luck isn’t as important now as it will be in March. That’s when the Colts must have a clearer picture about whether Luck can return to being a franchise quarterback. It's worth watching.