mpact thhan usual.ddddddddddddPurdue: QB David Blough. At times, Blough has looked like the next big thing at the Cradle of Qua

INDIANAPOLIS -- Andrew Luck is paying a hefty price for taking so many hits.After getting knocked around more than a dozen times in last weekends loss to Houston, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback missed practice Wednesday with shoulder and elbow injuries to his throwing arm though he expects to play Sunday at Minnesota.Absolutely, very confident, Luck said when asked if hed be available this weekend.The Colts (6-7) desperately need him because they have to win their last three games and get help just to stay in contention for the playoffs.Pagano said he would monitor Lucks status with the medical staff this week before deciding whether to use his quarterback against a Vikings defense that is No. 2 in the league and has 35 sacks.Indy has given up 40 sacks this season and will be without left guard Jack Mewhort and possibly right guard Denzelle Good (concussion).I will wait for the doctors and trainers to go through the rehab process and go through the rest of the day (Thursday) and we will see tomorrow, Pagano said, referring to Lucks practice status.The problem in Indy is that talk about Lucks health has become a recurring theme in an already underwhelming season.Hes been listed on the teams injury report every week this season and has missed five full practices. When he sat the first time, in September, Pagano said it was because of a sore throwing shoulder and as part of a predetermined maintenance plan to keep the Colts biggest star healthy for the rest of the season.Instead, the hits mounted and the injuries didnt go away.Luck missed the Thanksgiving night loss to Pittsburgh with a concussion. On Wednesday, he compared the current soreness in his right arm to the injury he had after a Week 2 loss.It didnt feel as good after that game as you would like, Luck said. But again, its football. Its December football. Nobody feels like they want to at this point of the year.During Lucks first three NFL seasons, he was the model of consistency -- starting 57 consecutive games including the playoffs, posting three straight 11-win seasons and reaching the postseason all three times.But after enduring more than 450 hits since 2012, the most of any quarterback in the league, its taken a toll.Luck missed his first two games early last season because of an injured right shoulder.After returning, Luck spent the next month trying to fight through other injuries before missing the final seven games with a lacerated kidney and partially torn abdominal muscle.Even when he did play last season, Luck wasnt the same. He went 2-5 with 15 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in seven starts.And though the stat line has improved this season, the hits keep coming.One time is too much, left tackle Anthony Castonzo said. So any time he gets hit is too many.The latest injury comes as the reeling Colts are trying to pull things together after a loss prompted Lucks favorite option, T.Y. Hilton, and the franchises career sacks leader, Robert Mathis, to offer their critiques.Hilton told reporters Sunday evening that the Colts laid down against Houston.Mathis used his weekly radio show Tuesday on local station WNDE to call on teammates to get stronger mentally.Im not bashing -- Im just telling the truth. Im the leader and that falls on me. Im the first one the fans should be angry at, Mathis said.We can play with any team, when we are on our `A game. Its (just) a lot of mental. We are not the strongest mentally, as a team. The physical ability, the coaching, the players -- its all there. Mentally, we need to get stronger.And if they have any chance of getting back in the playoff hunt , they need Luck on the field for the final month of the season.Im a big believer in practice and it hurts your soul not to be out there practicing, he said. Obviously some things are done for the better for this team, for yourself. Not practicing today was the right decision.Game notesGood and defensive tackle Zach Kerr were both limited participants at practice as they work through the concussion protocol. ... Mathis (biceps), tight end Dwayne Allen (hip), receiver Donte Moncrief (hamstring) and offensive lineman Joe Reitz (back) did not work out. Safety Mike Adams, cornerback Vontae Davis and running back Frank Gore all were given the day off. ... Starting cornerback Patrick Robinson (groin) will miss the rest of the season after being placed on injured reserve Tuesday.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLDavid Njoku Youth Jersey . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. Baker Mayfield Womens Jersey . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Denzel-Ward-Jersey/ . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. Joe Thomas Jersey . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Austin Seibert Youth Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla.No. 6 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten, No. 7 CFP) at Purdue (3-7, 1-6), Noon (ABC)Line: Wisconsin by 28.Series Record: Wisconsin leads 46-29-8.WHATS AT STAKEThe Badgers are closing in on their fourth division crown in six years -- and can book a ticket to Indianapolis with a win and losses by Minnesota and Nebraska this weekend. Purdue interim coach Gerad Parker was hoping his audition might lead to the dropping of the interim tag. Instead, Parker is 0-4 since replacing the fired Darrell Hazell.KEY MATCHUPThe Badgers offense vs. the Boilermakers offense in the second half. Wisconsin runs the ball and wears down opponents. Thats a perfect combination against Purdue, which has been outscored 114-17 in the second half of its last four games.PLAYERS TO WATCHWisconsin: LB T.J. Watt. His seven sacks are No. 3 in the conference and hes been a key cog in a stingy defense that ranks among the national leaders in points allowed and total yards allowed. This week, against a team allowing 2.1 sacks per game, expect Watt to have an even bigger impact thhan usual.ddddddddddddPurdue: QB David Blough. At times, Blough has looked like the next big thing at the Cradle of Quarterbacks. At other times, he has flat out struggled. Blough already has thrown a league-high 16 interceptions and now faces a team that picked off four passes last week.FACTS & FIGURESAll five Big Ten championship games have featured either Michigan State or Wisconsin. ... The Badgers have won 10 straight in the series, the longest streak for either team. Wisconsins last loss to Purdue came in 2003, and the Badgers have won nine straight regular-season games in Indiana. ... Each of Purdues four losses under Parker has been by double digits. ... Wisconsin is No. 3 in the conference with 14 interceptions this season and stopped Illinois on all nine third-down plays last week. ... Purdue is 0-15 in November games over the last four seasons.---AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '