Indianapolis Colts: No limitations for Andrew Luck?

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard recently claimed that Andrew Luck is ‘good to go’. Although that is great to hear, it is not that simple.

As the reports roll in, Indianapolis Colts fans and media alike jump aboard the Andrew Luck bandwagon, focusing on the fantastic. For those of us who have been through an ordeal such as a torn labrum in a shoulder, we only wish the healing was the only factor involved.

While physically Luck may indeed be “good to go”, the mental struggles he will face are certainly not behind him. I have given my two-cents on the topic enough already, having gone into detail numerous times on my own experiences and what he will endure throughout his recovery. One simple fact remains: Andrew Luck is not going back to a desk job. This is football, folks. It is brutal, strenuous and risky.

Put yourself at the tail end of such an ordeal, then imagine the brute force of an NFL linebacker drilling his helmet into your newly rebuilt shoulder, after a year and a half of grueling work to get it back to where it is. Not an easy thing on the mind, I assure you.

My point is that while things indeed are progressing, at long last, much remains of his recovery. Aside from the brutality and pain, Luck will also struggle with minor hiccups as well. Every little crunch, or pop will echo memories of the hell he has overcome. Every bit of stiffness and soreness will be accompanied by a tidal wave of fear.

With so much time invested and so much torture endured, any hint of having to go through it again will bring PTSD-like flashbacks. The further into the process he gets, the less it will linger, but have no doubt, he faces a life-long road.

Add that with the setbacks he has already faced and this issue is certainly front-and-center for Luck, much more so than the hopeful optimists within the media and fan base.

Per ESPN, Chris Ballard also added:

"“Andrew is an elite competitor and a pretty rare one,” Ballard said. “I think we’ve seen that during his career. I think it’s more of playing live football again. I don’t think there’s any mental restrictions. I think it’s more of getting the live reps versus live people. That’s the timing, getting used to moving in the pocket. All those are the things you have to get used to.”"

Mental restrictions, no. Mental struggles, however, are inevitable. As for the timing and the getting used to it, well one step at a time. Each of those steps will provide Andrew Luck with a journey of their own.

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My purpose is not to stoke worry, rather to limit the optimism with a realistic view. Andrew Luck is on track, he looks good and all signs point toward a full recovery. The optimism surrounding his return however, is premature at best.

Fans must remain patient, coaches must remain patient, and Andrew Luck, above all others, must remain patient. The Luck of yesterday, may not be the Luck of today. The Luck of tomorrow? Well, let’s focus on today. “Good to go” may cover today, but the challenge continues tomorrow.