Quarterback Burning Questions Heading Into Colts Training Camp

INDIANAPOLIS –The 2017 Training Camp is a little more than two weeks away.

On Saturday, July 29, the Colts will report to work at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, for their first Training Camp “at home” since moving to Indy in 1984.

Over the next week and a half, Colts.com will take a look at the "Burning Questions" for all position groups heading into the 2017 Training Camp.

Here's a look at the quarterback burning questions with the 2017 season nearing:

• How ready will Andrew Luck be when the regular season starts on Sept. 10?

The $140 million question of the 2017 season for the Indianapolis Colts.

Sitting here today, we still do not know if Andrew Luck has already started the throwing portion of his shoulder rehab, or if that timeline still has not been reached.

The Colts begin Training Camp on July 29 and it's a virtual must for Luck to see his throwing regiment ramp up throughout the month of August.

Judging by Jim Irsay's comments last month, Luck's upbeat outlook and no veteran quarterback signed this offseason, there's plenty of evidence indicating that No. 12 should be okay for Week One.

ANDREW LUCK'S CAREER STATS

But this upcoming Training Camp is going to be extremely vital for just how effective Luck can be from the start of 2017, and throughout the season.

Luck said in June that a one month break was probably the longest he had ever previously gone without throwing a football.

We are now approaching seven months without the use of his right arm to do what he does better than 99.9 percent of people.

If we don't get an update on Luck throwing once the calendar turns to August, there should be legitimate concern to just how ready the franchise quarterback will be for the regular season.

STAT TO NOTE: Luck has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 23 consecutive games, which is the longest active streak in the NFL and tied for the 18th most in NFL history.

• When healthy, what areas of Luck's game does he need to focus on in 2017?

Let's say Luck is healthy and plays all 16 games this season.

Where is improvement needed?

Luck was very solid last season, improving in his efficiency and doing it without consistency from skill players outside of T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle.

A career-high completion percentage in 2016 was a big step forward.

The interceptions number still could dwindle by a few.

Quarterbacks coach Brian Schottenheimer says him and Luck have talked about a target number of single-digit interceptions (2013 is the only season Luck has been under 10 picks).

Luck had 13 interceptions last year, but did have the second lowest INT rate of his five-year career.

If Luck can take another step forward with his turnovers, and gets the support needed around him, he should be back to a definite Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback.

STAT TO NOTE: Luck reached 15,000 career passing yards in his 56th career game, which is tied for the second fastest in NFL history.

• Will Scott Tolzien be needed in 2017?

During the 2017 offseason program, it was Tolzien taking nearly all of the first-team reps under center. Stephen Morris is definitely the third stringer entering Training Camp.

With the Colts not signing a veteran quarterback during the spring, it's evident they are okay with Tolzien being the backup again in 2017.

Tolzien was thrust into emergency duty last Thanksgiving, with Luck sidelined due to a concussion. Tolzien was not the reason the Colts lost to the Steelers last November.

Looking ahead to 2017, even if Luck is full-go for Week One, Tolzien is still going to be needed quite a bit during practice with the first-team offense.

A scaled back Luck means more Tolzien in practice settings.

From a reps standpoint, Tolzien should be ready enough if called upon again in a game setting.

But, of course, that is all dependent on the final stages of Luck's shoulder rehab.

STAT TO NOTE: Tolzien was 22-of-36 for 205 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in his lone start last season.

The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.