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Andrew Luck's big secret is finally out. He's been throwing a football for weeks — and now he's throwing in public Carlos Dunlap Jersey White , too.Nearly 17 months after undergoing surgery on his injured right shoulder, Luck jogged onto the practice field Tuesday wearing a red jersey, strapping on a helmet and picking up a special ball as he started throwing in front of reporters for the first time since October.No, it wasn't a regulation NFL ball and the longest pass he attempted was only about a 20-yard lob, but it still was progress."It's a lighter football," Luck said, referring to the striped football he tossed around. "It's sort of a bridge. I've thrown a real football, 'The Duke,' whatever you want to call it. I've picked it up and I've thrown it and it felt great. And honestly, there was a little mental block to doing it and I had to do it sort of by myself."Throughout the process, the Colts have been tight-lipped about Luck's progression.Just last week, coach Frank Reich acknowledged Luck was "real close" to throwing.He even played "toss" with Luck three weeks ago, the first and only time he has thrown "The Duke Anthony Munoz Jersey ," the standard NFL ball. Luck then swore him to secrecy, and Reich obliged the team's biggest star."Sorry, I confess. It really was hard for me to say that," Reich said of the continual denials about Luck throwing a football. "It really wasn't a workout. That was how I justified it in my mind."The wait for Luck's expected return from a partially torn labrum, which kept him out all of last season, has been as agonizing for Luck as it has been for Colts' fans.Just two weeks after he started throwing in October, the Colts shut down Luck because of what he described as lingering soreness. He changed the description Tuesday, saying the soreness was actually real pain.Luck spent a couple of weeks seeking second opinions before heading to Europe where he continued working out until late December. He returned to the team complex just before the regular-season finale and presumably had spent the past six months ramping up to start throwing between the end of minicamp and the start of training camp in late July.Just last week, Reich said Luck was "real close" to throwing.Clearly, though, the second round of rehab has gone far better than the first."I had pain last year and then I wasn't being honest to myself about it," Luck said. "I was trying to get through pain, per se. There's none of that right now. My arm feels normal (now). Doing things feels normal."Reich said the plan is for Luck to steadily ramp up his throwing so he can throw four times per week at camp to mimic a regular-season schedule. Even preseason appearances could be possible.Reich and team owner Jim Irsay believe Luck will make his first start in almost 21 months when the Cincinnati Bengals come to town Sept. 9.Luck agrees."I really think there are not hurdles Michael Johnson Jersey , it's just us protecting him," Irsay said. "I think we'll go through the progression of the preseason and he'll be ready to go against the Bengals."Skeptics note all of this has been said before.Last August, Irsay was still saying he expected Luck to come back during the first month of the season. Instead, Luck never took a snap.But Luck and the Colts insist this time is different, and not just because Luck is throwing earlier in the process than last season."I can just tell you he has looked really good in his sessions. There have been enough sessions that I have seen — with whatever kind of ball it is — it's looked good," said Reich, a former NFL quarterback who had similar surgery after his 14-year pro career ended. "There have been some throws where I would say letting it all out rip."Luck was cautious and played it close to the vest with the nearly two dozen throws he made Tuesday.That's also part of the plan, and one Luck believes will get his career back on track."I just believe I'm on the right path. I believe I'm going to be absolutely — I believe I'm going to be better than I was. I really, really do," he said. "I believe I'll be a better quarterback for this team, a better teammate." The Bengals need a tackle, and Dillard is one of the best in this draft."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections #BITESIZEFilm RoomRoster Transactions and ContractsOrange & Black InsiderSalary Cap And CBABreaking NewsKeep track of the 2019 Bengals draft脳NFL DraftBengals held workout with Andre DillardNew,54commentsThe Bengals need a tackle http://www.thebengalslockerroom.com/authentic-sam-hubbard-jersey , and Dillard is one of the best in this draft. EDTShareTweetShareShareBengals held workout with Andre DillardJames Snook-USA TODAY SportsAs the NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, offensive tackle remains one of, if not the biggest need for the Bengals.You wouldn’t think it seeing how Cincinnati is paying over $15 million to Cordy Glenn and Bobby Hart in each of the next two seasons. But everyone knows they’re one of the worst starting tackle tandems in football, so if the Bengals believe there’s a franchise tackle on the board at No. 11, that may be the best pick to make for the future of this franchise.Turns out, the Bengals are looking into Washington State offensive tackle Andre Dillard, who worked out with the team. Dillard is an intriguing prospect, as he played in a pass-heavy Cougars offense that ranked dead last in rushing attempts last season. He also played in quick-pass offense that didn’t require him to take deep dropbacks like he’d do a lot more in the NFL. Still, Dillard was consistently a great tackle that did what was asked of him and helped lock down the left side. At worst, he’d be an upgrade over Bobby Hart on the right side, then could attempt to man the left side when Glenn’s contract runs out in two years. Dillard is a promising prospect, but the 11th pick is probably too high for him. A lot of mock drafts have him going in the 20s. Perhaps he’ll be someone the Bengals take a hard look at if they wind up trading down in Round 1.