NFL notes: Colts place Andrew Luck on injured reserve

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will be placed on injured reserve, likely ending his season.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard made the announcement on Thursday.

“We’re going to shut his throwing down and we’re going to continue rehab, hard rehab,” Ballard said.

It’s hardly a surprise.

Since undergoing surgery in January for a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, the star quarterback missed all of Indy’s offseason workouts, all of training camp, the entire preseason and will miss his ninth straight regular-season game Sunday at Houston.

Luck didn’t even start throwing to teammates until early October and was shut down two weeks later after complaining of soreness in his right shoulder.

So with the Colts (2-6) struggling, their playoff hopes fading fast and Luck apparently not close to 100 percent, Indianapolis made the smart move.

“He was frustrated. He’s a competitive guy, he knows the impact he has on a Sunday,” Ballard said. “He’s a difference-maker. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league, so he’s frustrated.”

Etc.

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