The Indianapolis Colts have confirmed a report from Thursday that Andrew Luck suffered a rib cartilage injury earlier in the season, but denied breaking any rules by not disclosing the injury on the team's official injury report.
Colts COO Pete Ward said Luck's injury, which reportedly required pain-killing injections, wasn't significant enough to warrant being listed on the injury report.
"It never limited him in any way," Ward wrote in an email to Stephen Holder of the Indy Star, then author of the initial report. "Remember, he was dealing with a significant shoulder injury at the time."
Luck reportedly dealt with the rib injury through four games in late October and early November, before suffering the abdominal and kidney injuries that continue to sideline him.
The Colts have faltered with Luck's absence through nine games, and barring a miracle, will miss the playoffs for the first time since drafting Luck in 2012.
