After missing the entire 2017 season amid a lengthy recovery after surgery on his throwing shoulder, Andrew Luck played all 16 games last year and posted big numbers (4,593 yards, 39 touchdowns) as he was a top-five fantasy quarterback again.
Luck has been limited by a strained left calf dating back to OTAs, and he remains out of practice until further notice. A cut-and-dry muscle injury would be one thing, but Colts owner Jim Irsay has now referred to a “small little bone” issue.
Jim Irsay was on @SiriusXMNFL yesterday.
FWIW, Irsay said Andrew Luck is dealing with a ‘small little bone’ issue. Nothing to do with the Achilles tendon.
Irsay: “But I really feel very confident that he’s going to find his way through this thing.” https://t.co/mY0TTVTPtg
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) August 13, 2019
At last check there are no bones in the calf muscle, so Irsay’s comments point to something down into Luck’s ankle or, as has already been dismissed, his Achilles.
Luck’s injury history is becoming a big thing, with nine missed games in 2015 and one missed game in 2016 to go with missing all of the 2017 campaign. His status for Week 1 against the Chargers does not seem to be a question internally, but this is the same organization that continually suggested Luck would play at some point two years ago until he had to be put on season-ending IR.
The Colts have been adamant that they would have to be blown away by an offer to trade Jacoby Brissett. This side of whoever will be Carson Wentz‘s backup in Philadelphia, Brissett might be the most important backup quarterback in the NFL.
If Luck did miss games this season, what might that look like fantasy-wise as it relates to Brissett?
After being acquired from the New England Patriots just prior to Week 1, Brissett started 15 games for the Colts in Luck’s place two seasons ago. His numbers weren’t outstanding, with 3,098 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions along with 260 rushing yards and four additional scores, but he came into an entirely new system and took a league-high 52 sacks as well.
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Overall for the 2017 campaign, Brissett finished as QB20 in fantasy scoring. Narrowing to his 15 starts, he was QB17 from Week 2-Week 17. He had two 300-yard passing games, and from Week 5-Week 10 he was QB8 in fantasy.
Apart from a bad offensive line that has been upgraded, the Colts have a better set of weapons now. After tight end Jack Doyle and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton in 2017, running back Frank Gore came in with the next-highest catch total (29) and no one else (including Gore) reached 50 targets as Donte Moncrief had 47. A look at the Colts depth chart now shows two capable tight ends, four running backs that could carry some level of value and three or four wide receivers who could be factors in the offense.
Brissett is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so the Colts will have to make a decision on him between now and next March. He will have opportunities to start if he hits the free agent market, which would be a boost to his fantasy value.
There’s the big “if” of Luck’s health in the equation as it relates to any sort of fantasy outlook for Brissett in 2019. But he would be useful if he has to play a lot, and for those in deeper dynasty leagues there’s a lot of draft and stash appeal on the idea he could be the starter elsewhere in 2020.
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