Colts' Irsay: Team won't rush Luck back after shoulder surgery

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will be afforded all the time he needs to recover from January shoulder surgery.

Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed that Luck's prognosis will need to be signed off on by doctors before returning to action, during the annual league meeting Monday.

We are not going to be rushing him. We are going to make sure, obviously, that the shoulder has to be ready and the doctors are going to give full approval before he starts putting real reps on it and that sort of thing.

This is going to be a huge benefit in the long run. We really feel that he’s going to be completely healed for the season and he’s going to have a great season. Chris (Ballard) and Chuck (Pagano) have talked and we are going to make sure, if we need an extra arm in camp, as we start doing our work, we will be prepared for that.

Luck returned to top form last year after an injury-riddled 2015 campaign, completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 4,240 yards and 31 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.

After signing Luck to a six-year, $140-million contract last summer, the Colts need to protect their franchise player at all costs, but the 27-year-old is expected to make a full recovery by training camp.