Andrew Luck appears set to return to the Indianapoli Colts line-up against Houston on Thursday night but is still not 100 per cent fit.
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Luck missed the first game of his three-year NFL career last weekend against Jacksonville after failing to recover from a shoulder injury and is still rated as questionable for the game at the NRG Stadium (kick-off: 04:25).
The Colts ran out narrow 16-13 overtime winners over the Jaguars to move to 2-2 for the season but could do with Luck back in the side against JJ Watt’s Houston Texans.
Coach Chuck Pagano said Luck “looked good” during practice on Tuesday but did not confirm whether the 26-year-old will be able to start.
“He’s moving in the right direction, trending in the right direction so he’s a lot better than he was,” Pagano added.
everything I’ve heard on Andrew Luck this week points to him playing Thurs night. We’ll see if anything happens to change that pattern
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 7, 2015
However, 40-year-old back-up Matt Hasselbeck is also a doubt after missing practice on Tuesday due to sickness.
Hasselbeck, 30 of 47 for 282 yards with a touchdown against Jacksonville, said: “I’m going to get myself ready to play. I don’t expect to play, but I will be ready to play in case I’m needed.”
If neither Luck of Hasselbeck make it, Josh Johnson, who only signed for the Colts last week due to Luck’s injury, would get the call.
Indianapolis have beaten the 1-3 Texans in their last five fixtures and Houston have quarterback issues of their own with the indifferent form of starter Ryan Mallett.
Mallett was 12 of 27 for 150 yards with an interception in last week 48-21 defeat to Atlanta before being benched.
“He’s our starting quarterback,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “Like all of us, he knows that he has to play better. We all have to do better.”
