Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck: 'No reason to freak out' about shoulder

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck repeatedly told fans to not "freak out" about his surgically repaired throwing shoulder.

Luck, 27, reported to training camp Saturday but opens on the active physically unable to perform list and can't participate in practice.

"I would say that there's no reason to freak out," Luck told reporters Saturday. "I will be better than I was coming into this coming out. I know that. I don't know what day it's going to be, I don't know what week, I don't know when it's going to be but I definitely will be.

"So there's no reason to freak out. And on that note, football is the greatest team game in the world. No one person is bigger than the team and I've always felt that. We've got a solid, solid team that is forming at this complex. So, no reason to freak out."

Luck also said he is not ready to commit to playing the regular-season opener on Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams.

"It's hard for me to look beyond, really, today's rehab session," Luck said. "That's the approach I have to take ... if you want to get truly healthy. If you want to get better than you were before the injury."

Luck, who threw for 4,240 yards with 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2016, enters his sixth NFL season dealing with a shoulder issue that has lingered since 2015. He underwent surgery on his right shoulder in January and missed the team's offseason workouts.

"It does feel different than it did last year because I still have a ways to go in strength, still have a ways to go," Luck said. "But I know every day it's improved and I really feel this way, especially in the last couple weeks, month, I see the light at the end of the tunnel, if you will. I truly feel in my mind and in my heart that I know I'm going to be better. I really, really know I'm going to be better.

"No one wants to miss practice, no one wants to miss training camp but I'm confident that when the time is right for me and when I'm able to practice -- whenever that is -- that I'll be up to speed and good enough to be productive in games and give this team my best."

Even though owner Jim Irsay and the Colts were aware of Luck's shoulder issues, the franchise quarterback was signed to a five-year, $122.7 million contract that runs through the 2021 season. Luck was guaranteed $44 million at signing.

Veteran Scott Tolzien will continue to work with the starters until Luck returns to practice.