Andrew Luck ruled out of Week 1 vs. Rams

Now it’s official. The Indianapolis Colts will be without quarterback Andrew Luck for the team’s season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

It’s been a rough two years for head coach Chuck Pagano and the Indianapolis Colts. Three straight 11-5 showings resulting in postseason appearances have been followed by two consecutive 8-8 campaigns. A team that got within one victory of a Super Bowl appearance in 2014 has been mediocre ever since. Quarterback Andrew Luck has missed a total of 10 games the past two seasons (nine in 2015 and one in ’16).

Before that, the former Stanford University star had started every contest for Pagano’s club. This preseason, we haven’t seen the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft on the field. And now when the Colts hit the field on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, they will be out of Luck as well.

Luck underwent offseason shoulder surgery and remains on the mend. So for the first time since 2011, he won’t be the club’s Week 1 starter as he remains on the mend. That designation goes to backup Scott Tolzien, who saw his share of action this summer. Late last week, the Colts send wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (another former first round pick) to the New England Patriots for reserved quarterback Jacoby Brissett. He made two starts last season for Bill Belichick’s team.

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So what are the chances we see both Tolzien and Brissett on Sunday against the Rams? Even without Aaron Donald, that Los Angeles defense is pretty fierce. In any case, the Indianapolis Colts’ 2017 season is off to shaky start.