leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Andrew Luck didnt need to see the film of Cam Newton getting clobbered to realize Denvers defense can put a serious hurt on the quarterback.Luck led the Colts to a big win over the Broncos last year but ended up in the hospital afterward with a lacerated kidney and torn abdominal muscle that sidelined him for the final two months of the season.Lesson learned.After playing in just seven games in 2015 and then signing a megadeal this summer that includes a record $87 million in guarantees, Luck is more cognizant of protecting both his body and team owner Jim Irsays investment in him.As a quarterback you have an obligation to be on the field, Luck said Wednesday in a conference call with reporters in Denver, where the Colts (0-1) play this weekend. That involves taking care of your body. Situationally, there are times when I need to slide or throw the ball away and Ive been working on that.Theres a balance hes trying to find so he doesnt lose any of whats made him the quarterback he is.Youre going to go out there and take a hit if the games on the line or in (certain) other situations, Luck said. But I think in every year Im trying to approach the game in a better, more efficient way. So, I guess this is somewhat of a natural progression, as well.Luck was only sacked once but hit 11 times by the Broncos last year. His worst hit came when he was sandwiched by defensive end Vance Walker and linebacker Danny Trevathan, but he finished up and led the Colts to a 27-24 win in Indianapolis.The Broncos lost Trevathan to free agency and Walker was penciled in as Malik Jacksons replacement until he blew out a knee in training camp.That doesnt mean the Broncos are any less of a hazard to Lucks health.A lot of other guys got big hits on him, too, cornerback Chris Harris said. That wasnt the only hit. Everybody got big hits on him. Like I said, Luck put his body on the line against us. Just like Cam Newton did last week. Quarterbacks know if they want to beat us, theyve got to go all-out.Like Newton, Luck doesnt avoid hits like say, the elusive Russell Wilson.No, Andrew Luck doesnt slide too much, Harris said. Those guys try to run you over. So, youve got to hit them like running backs.Thats what Denvers defense did to Newton last week, hammering him 17 times, including four helmet-to-helmet hits, two of which resulted in fines for linebacker Brandon Marshall and safety Darian Stewart.Their hits on Newton, along with those of Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and cornerback Bradley Roby, sparked a debate about player safety, the viability of read-option QBs in this league and whether Denvers defense had crossed the line.Luck is up next and, like the leagues disciplinarians, hes been studying the Panthers-Broncos game film all week.Yeah, tough, physical, good, really good players all around the field, Luck said. Obviously, theyre a winning group. They know how to win. Well-coached. Coach (Wade) Phillips does a heck of a job, everywhere hes been. Certainly great pass rushers, really good cover guys. Really, theres no weakness on the defense.One adjective that many are using to describe Denvers defense is dirty.Not Luck.I wouldnt necessarily agree with that, he said. They play hard, theyre well-coached and obviously everybodys entitled to their own opinion. They do a good job. They really do.Colts coach Chuck Pagano thinks so, too.Theyre an athletic, physical, tough, attacking, swarming defense, Pagano said. Theyve got talent front to back. The edge pressure that you get, the way that they run to the football, the linebackers are sideline to sideline and the secondary is as good a unit as there is in the National Football League. Theyre a physical, physical unit.Game notesWR Demaryius Thomas (left hip) returned to practice and coach Gary Kubiak reiterated his belief that hell play Sunday. WR Bennie Fowler (right elbow) was held out again.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapletonKevin Faulk Womens Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Julian Edelman Womens Jersey . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. https://www.patriotssportsgoods.com/Womens-Stephon-Gilmore-Inverted-Jersey/ . JOHNS, N. Tom Brady Youth Jersey . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Andre Tippett Youth Jersey . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead.SAO PAULO -- Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez is dropping a sunglasses sponsor that he says made fun of his country after Donald Trump became the U.S. president-elect.The brand Hawkers wrote on Twitter that Mexicans should put on the glasses so they cant see those crying eyes if a wall is built between Mexico and the United States, which Trump has pledged to do.Perez, speaking on Thursday at the Brazilian Grand Prix, says, I didntt find it funny at all.dddddddddddd It has nothing to do with the brand. Unfortunately, I have decided not to stay with them because of those comments. I would never let anyone make fun of my country.Hawkers has removed the Tweet.Perez, who drives for Force India, did not say how much he was paid by the brand. ' ' '