Andrew Luck likely won’t play Thursday due to possible concussion

INDIANAPOLIS Ind. (WISH) – We most likely won’t see Andrew Luck suit up on Thanksgiving night.

The Indianapolis Colts announced Sunday Luck is undergoing the NFL’s concussion protocol after Sunday’s win.

Coach Chuck Pagano said Luck wasn’t feeling well after the win against the Titans. He believes Luck suffered a concussion and now is undergoing tests for the NFL’s mandatory protocol.

Only one player this season has been cleared by a Thursday when the injury was sustained the previous Sunday.

Being in the concussion protocol doesn’t always mean a player actually has a concussion.

A player must be evaluated and go through five steps to be cleared to play.

1. Rest and recovery: Until a player returns to the “baseline level of signs and symptoms and neurological examination,”

2. Light aerobic exercise

3. Continued aerobic exercise and introduction of strength training an athletic trainer will supervise to watch for recurrent concussions signs or symptoms.

4. A player will start football specific activities: The cognitive load of playing football will be added and players will participate in non-contact activities for the typical duration of a full practice.

5. Full football activity/clearance: A player returns to full participation in practice, including contact without restriction.

Scott Tolzien will take over for Luck if he can’t play against the Steelers. The Colts are 5-5 and are second in the AFC South. The Steelers are also 5-5 and 1st in the AFC North. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. Thanksgiving night at Lucas Oil Stadium.