Photo: Imagn Images

Andrew Luck retires

Like everyone else outside of his inner circle, I was stunned to hear about Luck's decision to retire from football on Saturday night. It was the latest twist in a confusing offseason of unknown injury and slower than expected rehab.

The initial reports that Luck had been worn down by injury didn't seem to make sense. Why retire due to injury now -- two weeks before the season -- after battling through kidney lacerations and abdominal muscle tears and concussion and a prolonged recovery from shoulder surgery over the past three years? Didn't Luck return to have one of his best seasons in 2018 after the Colts finally addressed the offensive line issues that had left him in harm's way so often in his early career? Wasn't he theoretically close to recovery from a calf and ankle condition after months of hard work and rehab this offseason?

But after watching Luck's press conference, hearing him detail the toll the shoulder rehab took on him, express the excitement and pride he took in his play last year after that long road, then discuss the parallels he saw in this summer's long rehab, his thought process was more easily seen. It's heartbreaking but clear and reasonable.

Finally, while I understand why Colts' fans may feel disappointed and even betrayed at the timing of Luck's announcement and I recognize Adam Schefter's reasons for breaking the story as he did, I very much hope the Colts find a way to get Luck back on the field for a more appropriate goodbye than the boos he experienced Saturday night.

This isn't the first unexpected retirement of a football great. Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Robert Smith, and Calvin Johnson each had their reasons for moving on during the prime of their careers.

All the best in retirement, Andrew.

Unsure about when to draft Todd Gurley, Cam Newton, Amari Cooper, Sony Michel, A.J. Green, Derrick Henry, and others?

Click here to read which injured players are safe to draft at their current ADP -- and which you should avoid.

Injury Rounds

Cam Newton | Left midfoot sprain | Preseason Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Probable Week 1

Newton injury occurred as he stepped up into a crowded pocket. Video didn't show a violent mechanism of injury but Newton skipped back without bearing weight on his left foot. He limped off the field and was immobilized in a walking boot after the game.

The Panthers announced the injury as a midfoot sprain, a term that routinely raises concern for a Lisfranc injury. In Newton's case, video did not show an injury consistent with a Lisfranc joint injury and the team has been uniformly optimistic in expecting only a brief absence. That optimism appears well-founded as Newton was already out of the walking boot on Sunday.

Expect limited, if any, contact practices for Newton this week. The current trend suggests an early Wednesday practice during Week 1 preparation with progression to full practice by the end of the week. If that happens, Newton will likely be able to handle a full playbook, including full clearance to run and scramble from the pocket, in Week 1. A slower return to action will prompt us to reconsider how much Newton will be able to do in the early weeks of the season.

Lamar Miller | Left ACL / MCL tear | Preseason Week 3 | injured reserve (expected)

ACL injuries most commonly occur in non-contact scenarios. Unfortunately, we sometimes see enough rotation during direct contact to stress multiple ligaments. That's what happened with Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Meredith in past seasons and video replay of Miller's injury suggests the same.

An MRI confirmed ACL and MCL tears for Miller on Sunday. Hopefully, any associated injuries to Miller's meniscus and cartilage are minor and allow a smooth transition to early rehab. He'll be placed on injured reserve soon.

Mike Evans | Left quad strain | Preseason Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

Evans reportedly pulled up in practice over a week ago with what's been termed a leg injury. The team has remained cautious with the injury and there are no media reports of concern. Evans is very likely in the group of veteran players rehabbing a minor injury rather than practicing to prevent even the slightest risk of aggravation. However, I'm watching Evans a little more carefully this week after a Tom Pelissero tweet labeling this injury as "a minor quad or groin issue." It's probably nothing and just the usual confusion in translating a sourced report but I always raise an eyebrow when a soft tissue injury isn't clearly defined and includes the groin. Those injuries are sometimes later clarified as core abdominal strains after an aggravation or slower-than-expected recoveries.

Again, this nothing more than me channeling Wilford Brimley in The Firm -- "I get paid to be suspicious when I got nothing to be suspicious about." It's very likely Evans returns to practice this week and is fine for Week 1.

Monday Update: Evans did return to practice on Monday. He's likely to be ready for a full Week 1 workload.

***Damien Harris left with an undisclosed injury. There was helmet-to-helmet contact and contact to Harris' left shoulder on the play-action play. The Patriots did not report Harris in the concussion protocol through the weekend and there are no current indications of a long-term injury.

***Jordan Reed suffered another concussion last week. Depending on the source, it's reportedly either the sixth or seventh of his college and NFL career. Reed has often required multiple weeks to rehab previous head injuries. Washington has yet to comment but Reed should be considered questionable at best for Week 1.

Follow Up Appointments

Derrick Henry | Left Calf strain | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

Henry returned to practice last week but was not cleared to participate in the Titans' third preseason game. He is within the 7-10 day aggravation window but his rehab has progressed well to date. It's unlikely Henry will play in the final preseason game but he's trending toward a good week of practice and a full workload in Week 1.

Amari Cooper | Plantar fasciitis | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

The Cowboys have held Cooper out of practice for much of the preseason with a heel injury. It's been reported as a heel bruise, plantar fasciitis, and a muscle strain. While each of those conditions is slightly different, the overall picture is the same. Cooper is having pain on the bottom of his foot near the heel and the Dallas medical staff believes he's better served by rehabbing than practicing. Cooper has said he's played through a similar injury before and will do so again. There's a risk of aggravation and some risk of a reconditioning injury here but the risk is very likely less than if Cooper was dealing with a leg muscle strain.

***Sony Michel continues to practice without recurrent swelling or pain. After early preseason reports about Michel's potential for increased usage in the passing game, there are now reports that the Patriots plan to use Michel as much in the running game as possible. Both are great signs the team feels Michel is prepared for a full Week 1 workload.

***Keenan Allen returned to limited practice. It's even easier to ignore Anthony Lynn's comments last week about potential surgery now. Allen is trending toward a full workload in Week 1.

***George Kittle returned to practice and is expected to be ready Week 1.

***Duke Johnson Jr returned to practice last week but did not play. After missing over a month with a hamstring strain, he remains at risk of aggravation for another 1-2 weeks.

***Kenyan Drake (foot) was no longer immobilized in a walking boot this weekend but has not returned to practice. Drake told reporters last week his injury was minor. If he's back practicing this week, he can be considered probable for Week 1.

***Keke Coutee (ankle) returned to practice on Monday. He's trending toward a Week 1 return.

***DK Metcalf continues to rehab from arthroscopic surgery. Although reports suggest surgeons did not find significant structural issues inside the knee, Metcalf remains in doubt for Week 1.

***Jerick McKinnon (knee) has returned to individual drills but has yet to be cleared for contact or preseason game action. After rumors of inseason injured reserve, McKinnon is trending positively again but he's been unable to manage a full week of contact without recurrent swelling and pain. This week is critical for his early 2019 projection.

***Derrius Guice returned to practice, was given double-digit carries, and looked healthy and effective in his first preseason action last week. He'll need to continue to gain confidence in the stability of his knee and conditioning but looks prepared to contribute in Week 1.

INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER