The focus of the San Francisco 49ers, who still seek their first victory of the 2017 season, is currently on their Sunday opponent – the Arizona Cardinals. After that, their focus will shift to the Indianapolis Colts, whom they play on October 8.
This season, Indianapolis has been without its franchise quarterback, Andrew Luck. On Sunday, the Colts won their first game of the season with a 31-28 victory over the winless Cleveland Browns. Reports out of Indianapolis have Luck possibly returning to practice this week.
"He might be able to start some practice this week," said Colts head coach Chuck Pagano on Monday. "I'm not guaranteeing nothing so don't write anything that (says), 'Hey, he's going to be out at practice.' There's a possibility. When our doctors and trainers tell me that he's at a point where he can return to practice, then I'll be sure to tell you for sure. He's doing well."
Luck, who started throwing again in late-July following surgery in January to repair a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, has not practiced with his teammates since the final week of the 2016 season. He missed all of the Colts' minicamps, organized team activities, training camp, and every preseason and regular season practice since.
Stephen Holder of the IndyStar believes Luck will not be ready to take the field when the Colts host the 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, which happens to be when the team plans to retire Peyton Manning's number and induct the future Hall of Fame quarterback into its Ring of Honor.
Expect a couple weeks minimum of practice before he plays in a game. Long shot scenario is next week vs 49ers. More likely is Tenn on 10/16.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) September 26, 2017
Over the weekend, Ian Rapaport of NFL Network reported that Luck was likely to return for the Colts' Week 6 contest against the Tennessee Titans, which is the week after the Colts host the 49ers.
San Francisco's road game against the Colts is largely viewed as the 49ers' next most winnable game, mostly due to the absence of Luck. On Tuesday, the 49ers opened as 7.5-point underdogs to their next opponent – the Cardinals.
In Luck's absence, the Colts' current starting signal caller is former Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, for whom Indianapolis traded on September 2. During Sunday's victory over the Browns, Brissett went 17-of-24 for 259 yards and a touchdown through the air to go along with two rushing touchdowns.