Colts team owner Jim Irsay won’t physically be present in team’s draft room this week

While team owner Jim Irsay will not be physically attending the Colts draft room, it sounds like his presence will be felt.

According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Indianapolis Colts team owner Jim Irsay will not be physically present in the team’s ‘war room’ for this upcoming draft weekend—breaking an annual tradition, as he’s still recovering from a major lower back surgery:

“The main thing is I’m just following my doctors’ orders and just making sure the bottom line is just to get back to 100% and to do the things they say,” Irsay recently told ESPN. “I’m just being a good patient and trying to make sure I can get back sooner than later. I’ll get back on the golf course sooner than later.”

“It’s going fine. It’s just a test of patience.”

Despite having his mobility severely limited in his recovery, Irsay still plans to have a ‘presence’ come draft weekend—which includes attending virtually:

However, he told ESPN that the “team’s affairs are running per usual” in his extended absence away from the team. His daughters have taken more extensive leadership roles in recent years, and Colts general manager Chris Ballard indicated earlier this offseason that he still talks to his boss daily regarding key football decisions, despite his physical absence.

Irsay, who has “undergone numerous surgeries on his back, hips and extremities from years-old powerlifting injuries,” has had recent health issues. While he seems to be making progress in this recovery, those overall issues have largely been kept private—and rightfully so, from the public’s eye.

Obviously, draft weekend and the Colts’ ‘With the Next Pick’ related series will feel a little bit different without seeing firsthand Irsay’s passion, energy, and eccentric comments in the draft room, supporting his franchise and top football lieutenants’ decision-making.

However, we hope that he continues to recover, and it sounds like he still plans on playing a significant role in welcoming the newest Colts this weekend—with his accustomed Hoosier hospitality and own only ‘Jim Irsay’ signature style.