Regardless of whether the injury rate in short-week games is any worse than Sunday or Monday games (it isn’t, according to the league), players who are injured on Sunday often will have a hard time getting themselves ready to play on Thursday.
That’s particularly true when a player has been placed in the concussion protocol. And the Colts, who face the Steelers on Thanksgiving, realize that regarding quarterback Andrew Luck.
Asked whether the short week will make it harder to get Luck cleared, coach Chuck Pagano told reporters, “That would be a good assumption.”
Pagano then elaborated on the general steps through which Luck will be required to progress.
“You have to feel better, you have to take an impact test and pass an impact test, then practice non-contact, then have another day and then take another impact test and be cleared by an independent [neurologist],” Pagano said.
And so the responsibility will fall to veteran Scott Tolzien, who has two career starts with the Packers in 2013.
“We’ve got a guy that comes to work every single day and prepares like a starter ever since he’s been in this building,” Pagano said of Tolzien. “He understands and knows this offense and if that’s the case, he’ll go out and play winning football.”
He may play winning football, but that may not ensure that the Colts will be winning on Thursday night against the Steelers.
