INDIANAPOLIS – The next goal in Andrew Luck's rehab from a lacerated kidney is to return to practice this week.
Luck met the media on Monday after he earlier rehabbed by doing some throwing, lifting of weights and conditioning.
Despite the hope of practicing this week, Luck said he still does not feel completely 100 percent back from his Week Eight injury.
Chuck Pagano still hasn't received word if Luck will be cleared for practice this week.
"I have not heard anything from our trainers or doctors on (Luck returning to practice this week)," Pagano said on Monday.
Tuesday will mark the fifth full week in Luck's recovery, for a timetable that was originally two-to-six weeks.
Participating in practice is of extreme importance for Luck.
Being cleared for practice, and then for a game, are two separate hurdles though that Luck must clear.
"I'm such a big believer in practice and always will be," Luck said on Monday.
"I know you can't just sit out for how many weeks it's been, show up, practice for a week and expect to be where you want to be. It will be a little bit of a learning curve again, but I don't imagine it to be too big of an issue."
Luck was steadfast on Monday in believing he will definitely return to play sometime this season and that he's had no setbacks in his rehab.
The intensity of Luck's workload continues to rise and things feel "great" from a throwing standpoint, according to No. 12.
Conditioning is more of a process.
"When you take time off, it takes a little more time to get back into it," Luck said of the conditioning aspect for his rehab.
Sunday marked the sixth game Luck has missed this season (two due to a shoulder injury in October, and the last four games due to the lacerated kidney).
This injury has been a test for Luck and he realizes that any potential return of his would come at the most critical part of the season.
"The guys have done such a great job of making sure that we are still in the hunt and still in control of our own destiny," Luck said on Monday.
"We've found a way to play a huge meaningful game in December."
