By CHARLIE CLIFFORD
WISH-TV
Eighty-five Indianapolis Colts players punched in and out of the first training camp practice Thursday at Grand Park, and 84 went relatively unnoticed.
Quarterback Andrew Luck’s first full practice in light years meant all eyes including first-year offensive coordinator’s Nick Sirianni were on No. 12. It appeared everything went as planned.
“Taking control of the huddle, making some checks at the line of scrimmage, doing what he does and you could see it,” coach Frank Reich said. “You could see it working through his progressions, he looked sharp.”
Colts center Ryan Kelly said, “I think he looks healthier now than he has ever looked before. He came back and I was like ‘Dude, are you trying to play tight end now or something?’… He is ‘yoked’ (referring to a strong trapezius muscle between the shoulder and neck). It is just good to see.”
Thursday also was another step closer to some of the big promises General Manager Chris Ballard made this offseason to one tight end who left Detroit for a fresh start in Indianapolis.
“I am not going to answer that, but let’s just say I was promised a healthy Andrew Luck, so I am here,” tight end Eric Ebron said and then laughed.
Everything Thursday was calculated for Luck: the snaps, the handoffs, the throws — heck, a Colts staffer followed him around with a mini-cam the entire first portion of practice. It was a sight.
But, a memorable moment? Yes, it was. It’s been an eternity. Even Kelly had trouble remembering the last time Luck was on the practice field at full speed.
“Ah, that is a good question,” Kelly said. “The last game we played together was New Year’s of 2016, so, when you think about it, it’s been a long time. But, it is kind of like riding a bike; once you get back on it, it is not too hard to figure it out again.”
Not everything is routine yet. As Luck implied earlier this week, this is not a hurry-up offense.
“I feel really, really good about where I am now, and I owe it to myself a week from now … whenever I talk to you guys next … to have improved and go to bed tonight saying I did this to improve and got better.”
The opening drive is done in Westfield.
Andrew Luck had his first full practice in a while during the first training practice of Colts Camp Thursday at Grand Park. Luck is pictured with Colts coach Frank Reich. (Photo courtesy WISH-TV)