Maybe Andrew Luck isn't quite ready to go, after all.
The Colts re-signed veteran quarterback Josh Johnson on Wednesday, two days after releasing him. They had brought in Johnson last week to serve as Matt Hasselbeck's backup with Luck sidelined by a shoulder injury. Hasselebeck, however, did not practice Tuesday due to an illness.
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But the team has taken pains to tell — if not show — the world that the franchise QB will be back under center for Thursday night's game against the Texans.
"I'm preparing to start, and to play," Luck told reporters after practice Tuesday — a practice that took place away from the prying eyes of the media, as the Colts had Luck and Hasselbeck throw indoors while the rest of the team practiced outside.
Coach Chuck Pagano wasn't quite as emphatic as Luck, allowing only that his quarterback looked good in practice Monday and Tuesday. But bringing Johnson back into the fold certainly raises some eyebrows as the Colts prepare to face J.J. Watt and Co.
Hasselbeck did just enough in his start Sunday to get the Colts past the Jaguars, completing 30 of 47 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown in a 16-13 overtime win. Johnson was active for the game but did not play.
To make room on the roster for Johnson, the Colts placed cornerback Jalil Brown on injured reserve.
