Andrew Luck has battled a variety of injuries throughout his career, but last year returned to form, throwing for more than 4,500 yards, completing 39 touchdown passes, winning Comeback Player of the Year, and taking the Colts to the playoffs, where they won a game over Houston before losing to the Chiefs. And now he’s retiring, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Filed to ESPN: Andrew Luck has informed the Colts he is retiring from the NFL, per source. There will be a press conference Sunday to make it official, but Luck is mentally worn down, and now checking out.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2019
This is blindsiding news. Luck had been sidelined throughout the preseason with a calf injury, but the Colts were optimistic he’d return for the regular season, maybe after missing a few weeks, though the news was less optimistic recently.
The #Colts thought Andrew Luck would be full-go within the first week of camp from his calf/leg issue. But he never felt comfortable, mentally or physically. The tone shifted in the past couple weeks. Now, Luck plans to walk away at age 29.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 25, 2019
Now, they’re losing their franchise cornerstone.
Andrew Luck already has met with Colts’ owner Jim Irsay to tell him that he is retiring, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2019
If you can believe it, Andrew Luck is on the sideline at this moment, chatting with teammates like nothing is out of the ordinary. A surreal scene.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 25, 2019
Luck is still only 29; he turns 30 in September. This is a shocking turn, with the Colts now relying on Jacoby Brissett for the immediate future.
UPDATE: Luck was booed as he left the field at Lucas Oil Stadium following the Colts preseason loss to the Bears, during which news of his impending retirement broke.
#Colts QB Andrew Luck is booed as he leaves the field. pic.twitter.com/5Wr38cM7Js
— Rich Nye (@RichNye13) August 25, 2019
About Jay Rigdon
Jay is a columnist at Awful Announcing. He is not a strong swimmer. He is probably talking to a dog in a silly voice at this very moment.