indianapolis colts starting quarterback Andrew Luck might not be ready to play when they take on the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 10 in Week 1 of the regular season. According to team owner Jim Irsay, Luck is currently throwing but he may not be available for the Rams game. “I would say his progression could not be better,” said Irsay. General manager Chris Ballard, for his part, said Luck is doing well with his strength levels, better than last season. Luck underwent offseason surgery on his shoulder that bothered him last season. Last season, Luck played 15 games, throwing for 4,240 yards and 31 touchdowns with 13 picks as the Colts missed the playoffs for the second straight season with an 8-8 mark.
The Colts are not rushing his return and might use backup signal-caller Scott Tolzien for one regular-season game. Earlier, Irsay planned to sign a veteran quarterback to back up Luck but the price was too high, forcing him to stick with the 29-year-old Tolzien, who played three games with one start last season, completing 23 of 37 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. In their 24-10 preseason loss to the Detroit Lions, Tolzien completed 2-of-5 passes for 24 yards. Ballard said Tolzien has been a little inconsistent but he will get the needed reps to get his rhythm going.
Christian Hackenberg shines in first preseason game
Second-year quarterback Christian Hackenberg had his first significant action for the New York Jets, completing 18 of 25 passes for 127 yards as they defeated the Tennessee Titans 7-3.
Hackenberg’s performance drew praise from veteran quarterback josh mccown, who is in line for the starting signal-caller job for the Jets. McCown said there was several hiccups but Hackenberg kept battling and played his game.
Jets head coach Todd Bowles said Hackenberg has positives that he can build on, and some negatives that the team has to correct.
It was an outstanding performance since Hackenberg did not play a down in the regular season despite being selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft
McCown steady against Titans
McCown, for his part, completed three of four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. In the offseason, he signed a one-year deal worth $6 million to become the Jets’ starting quarterback.
Bryce Petty, the Jets’ third quarterback, went 2-for-6 for 16 yards. Titans starter Marcus Mariota completed two of three passes for 15 yards, while back-ups Tyler Ferguson and Alex Tanney finished the game. Tanney went 11-for-27 for 132 yards and an interception, while Ferguson threw one pass for four yards.
