INDIANAPOLIS -- If there's one thing the Indianapolis Colts couldn't afford as they make their transition to a younger roster it was the absence of quarterback Andrew Luck.
Luck isn't just any player out with an injury for the Colts. While new general manager Chris Ballard is in the process of doing everything possible to make the roster competitive from top to bottom, it's Luck that makes the Colts click.
But when the Colts start their offseason workouts April 17, Luck will be on the side watching, and it will remain that way until his surgically-repaired right shoulder is completely healed. Based on the way coach Chuck Pagano talked to reporters during the NFL's owners meetings Tuesday, the team plans to err on the side of caution when it comes to its franchise player.
"Again, I don't have a timeline on that," Pagano said. "We're just taking it one day a time. When doctors come to us and trainers come to us and say, 'Here you go, he's ready to go,' but we have to be smart about it. Bring him back too fast and you have a setback. That's the worst thing we can do."
The common theme coming from Pagano, Ballard and owner Jim Irsay is that there's no timetable on when Luck will be back. The obvious goal is to have Luck ready for the start of the regular season in September.
"This will be a different offseason because he's rehabbing," Pagano said. "I think from a mental standpoint he'll put a ton of time in. He's going to be another coach on the field until he gets back."
Scott Tolzien, who started the one game that Luck missed last season, is expected to work with the first team until Luck returns. It won't be surprising if the Colts add another quarterback to the roster this offseason to go with Tolzien and Stephen Morris.
The offensive scheme isn't expected to change much, and receiver Kamar Aiken is the most significant offensive addition so far this offseason. Mental reps can't replace Luck being on the field working with his teammates. What he'll be missing is the reps with his offensive line, which has lacked stability and the ability to protect Luck in all five seasons of his NFL career. The offensive line is a young group that has potential, but they're also still in the growing process.
Even Pagano, the always upbeat Chuck Pagano, admitted not having Luck is a bit unsettling.
"Yeah, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't," he said. "This is about being brutally honest. Yeah, you want to have your guy available and out there. You want him year round, and we have to adapt. That's what great teams and great organizations do. You have to adapt and have to adjust on the fly, so we'll do that."