Outwardly, Pagano isn’t sweating Luck’s absence

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano knows time is running out if the team plans on having quarterback Andrew Luck available for the season opener with the Los Angeles Rams. Luck is continuing to rehab his right shoulder after offseason surgery.

Pagano, however, says he is not in panic mode concerning exactly when his starting quarterback will be able to return to the practice field.

“We’re not going to know until we get him out here. Again, when doctors say he’s ready, healthy and 100 percent and he can start practicing, then you’ll have that answer,” the coach said. “There’s no timeline. No timetable.”

Pagano was asked about focusing his attention on getting the team ready while trying to keep updated on the progress of Luck’s rehab.

“Control the controlables, right?,” he said. “He’s around. It’s good. You (media) guys worry too much.”

Once Luck is cleared to return to a full practice regimen, how much time would it take for the quarterback to be ready to actually play in a game?

“Having played the amount of time and snaps that he’s played, I don’t think that he would need as much as, say, a second or third-string guy,” Pagano explained.

“He’s still going to need some time, to get on the same page, to get comfortable with the receivers and the tight ends. Timing, communication, continuity, the confidence thing, getting back out there and throwing the football.”

–When training camp started, it looked like the Colts’ offensive line issues from the past several seasons was starting to take a positive turn. But injury issues have limited the practice time of center Ryan Kelly and guards Jack Mewhort and Joe Haeg. The best news came Wednesday when center/guard Brian Schwenke (foot) passed his physical and was removed from the physically unable to perform list.

“Trying to get them all healthy, get them out there,” Pagano said. “We’re taking the right approach with Jack. He wants to be out there every snap. He’s a warrior. He’s got the right mindset but we got to protect him from himself.

“The thing is to get him to the season opener as healthy as we can, feeling as good as he can and also having the (right) amount of reps and play time where he can feel confident and we can feel confident.”

Pagano said that undrafted rookie center Deyshawn Bond and tackle Jeremy Vujnovich have done a nice job filling in with the first offensive unit.

“It’s been a little bit of a challenge, but it is what it is. Guys like Bond are coming along, doing well and getting a number of invaluable reps,” Pagaon coach said. “Vujnovich is doing a nice job. We’re able to move some guys around. Getting (Joe Haeg) back is helpful. We’ll just keep plugging away. Like I said, a lot of young guys are getting valuable reps.”

–Pagano thinks there is a silver lining in the fact that several younger or less experienced players have been forced to see a lot of practice and playing time during training camp and the preseason due to injuries.

“When everybody gets back and we’re full strength and we’re healthy, it’s a competitive roster. So, it’s been good. They understand that it’s that way,” the Colts coach said, looking ahead to Saturday night’s preseason game at Pittsburgh and next Thursday night’s preseason finale with Cincinnati.

“It (roster cuts) will be hard, especially when you’ve got to do it all on one weekend now. It’s a good thing because we have all those guys going through one more game. I’m not getting ahead of ourselves, but it’s great for those players to get one more opportunity.”