For some Eagles, 'cycle of pain' that led Colts' Andrew Luck to retire hits close to home

PHILADELPHIA – The reverberations of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck's sudden retirement were felt throughout the Eagles locker room Sunday.

The element of surprise was prevalent for the Eagles when the news broke Saturday night, which was followed by Luck's emotional press conference.

But what resonated most for the players was Luck's admission of "the cycle of pain" that he has dealt with for the past several seasons.

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Eagles center Jason Kelce, for example, admitted during the offseason that he has contemplated retirement after each of the last few seasons only to return. He admitted that last season he played through an MCL sprain, a torn elbow and broken foot.

So Kelce can understand why Luck decided to retire rather than try to come back from an ankle injury, Luck's latest malady.

"It sucks," Kelce said. "It’s definitely part of the game – pain. It’s a pretty depressing thing having to deal with it constantly, having to go through that is something that’s not fun. You’re always constantly weighing how much that’s bringing you down versus all of the other joys you get out of the game.

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"And obviously, Andrew made a decision that he was kind of done with it. I think that anyone who plays football at this level, and in general, can understand, especially once you start playing for a long time and have been through the ringer. You understand what guys are going through. I’m happy that he’s finally at peace with it."

Tight end Zach Ertz understands, too. He and Luck were teammates at Stanford, and he said they have been close friends ever since. 

Ertz called Luck "one of the best teammates I ever had, one of the best people I’ve ever been around, and definitely one of the most talented."

Ertz said he recalled the 6 a.m. workouts at Stanford where the quarterbacks and tight ends would compete against each other in all kinds of drills, and how the two of them went "at each other's throats." And the calls he would get from Luck on a Saturday afternoon during the offseason asking if he wanted to run some routes.

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"It was emotional for me watching it, knowing him so personally, knowing how much he loves the game of football," Ertz said. "To see him be so vulnerable, be so open to everyone and give the answers that were all from the heart, I’m proud of him for sure. It’s not an easy decision to make. But this game is tough as it is.

"It’s impossible to play if you’re 50% in, 50% out … I was happy for him. I felt like he was at peace with the whole thing. That’s all I care about."

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Luck, 29, isn't the first pro football player to retire in what should be the prime of his career. Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson did it in after the 2015 season at the age of 30, and Lions running back Barry Sanders did it after the 1998 season, also at the age of 30.

Other players have thought about it, too, but decide to keep playing.

"I thought about it, but then I thought, ‘What else am I going to do?’" said right tackle Lane Johnson, who's entering his seventh season after playing through a sprained MCL and ankle injury last season.

Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, meanwhile, is entering his 11th season. He reiterated how he's been "lucky" enough to play all 16 games in a season in every season since joining the Eagles in 2014. Last season, Jenkins didn't miss a single snap on defense, one of only three defensive players to do so.

So when asked if Luck's retirement will make other players consider retiring as opposed to enduring more pain and rehab, Jenkins replied: "I think everybody does that."

Then he added: "I think lucky for him, he’s in a position where he can go out on his own terms. Most guys will either get booted out of this league, or their skill set starts to fall and eventually someone makes that decision for them. But for him, I think every player at the end of the season evaluates where they are, their family situation, their quality of life, their money. Then they make a decision about whether it’s worth it to pursue if they still love the game and are enjoying themselves." 

Added Ertz: "I think that’s kind of the way the NFL is right now. There are going to be more guys retiring earlier than later. It’s always better to leave a play too early than a play too late in this game. There’s so much risk that comes along with this sport."

Will Fletcher Cox, Lane Johnson, others be ready Week 1?

There was no sign of defensive tackle Fletcher Cox at practice Sunday, just two weeks before the regular-season opener. Cox had surgery on his foot after the Eagles lost in the playoffs in January.

"I'm confident that he'll be there," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said about the opener Sept. 8 against Washington. "Listen, everybody is different, but I'm confident, and our goal is to have everybody ready."

Johnson, who was shut down on Aug. 8 with a knee injury, was back at practice for the first time, but on a limited basis. Johnson said he will be ready for Week 1, and that he'll ramp up for practice next week.

Tight end Dallas Goedert, who suffered a calf injury Aug. 8, went through warmups Sunday, but did not practice. The Eagles expect him ready for Week 1.

Right guard Brandon Brooks, who tore his Achilles against the Saints in the playoffs, said he will be allowed to do some team drills this week, and is still aiming to be ready for the opener.

Pederson said linebacker Nigel Bradham is doing individual drills. Cornerback Jalen Mills is still on the physically unable to perform list. He can't practice with the team until he's taken off the PUP list. If he's still on it when the season starts, he'll have to miss at least the first six games.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.