Rams land top free agent Suh, Luck improving

Ndamukong Suh, considered by many the top free agent left on the NFL market, officially has a new home.

The Los Angeles Rams announced Monday they have signed the feared defensive tackle to a one-year deal. The contract will be worth $14 million, about $5 million less than what he made annually with the Miami Dolphins, who released him two weeks ago.

The No. 2 overall pick of the 2010 draft by the Detroit Lions, Suh has been dominant at times, recording 51.5 sacks – including 10 his rookie year – across eight seasons and never missing a game due to injury. He’s also been selected to five Pro Bowls.

In other NFL news, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay and GM Chris Ballard each expressed optimism on Monday about the progress of quarterback Andrew Luck’s recovery.

“All indicators are healing is going really well and we feel really optimistic that he’s turned the corner and has a full decade ahead of him of excellence,” said Irsay from league meetings in Orlando.

Irsay’s words might understandably be taken with a grain of salt after he routinely assured fans last offseason that Luck would be ready for the 2017 season in his recovery from surgery to his throwing shoulder. Luck ultimately never played.

Appearing Monday on the podcast of ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Ballard said Luck, 28, is “doing outstanding” as he works with throwing specialists Tom House and Adam Dedeaux in California.

Meanwhile, the team appears committed to keeping Luck’s backup, Jacoby Brissett, despite interest from other teams.

The 24-year-old is under contract for about $1.6 million over the next two seasons, making him one of the league’s most affordable backup plans. If Luck returns to 100 percent this season, Brissett might be more likely to be moved, but Luck’s health cannot be assumed at this point.