Andrew Luck missed nine games last season and ended the year on injured reserve. Indy's quarterback, however, admitted he was playing poorly even before the injuries derailed his season.
"Injuries aside, I was not playing very good football -- before they happened," Luck told ESPN, via Pro Football Talk. "I've got to be better. Toward my last couple games, I felt like I was playing much better, trending in the right direction."
In seven games, Luck completed 55.3 percent of his passes (worst mark since his rookie season), had a 15-12 TD-to-INT ratio and a career-low 74.9 passer rating. In the first three games of the season -- before he missed any time with injury -- Luck threw seven interceptions. He had as many three-interception games (two) as pick-free contests.
Luck played his best game when he suffered the season-ending kidney laceration, going 21-of-36 passing for 252 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in a win over the Denver Broncos, who owned the NFL's top defense.
Aside from one contest, Luck's fourth season was a disaster. There were even (ludicrous) discussions among some in the media about whether Matt Hasselbeck should remain the quarterback after back-to-back wins in Weeks 4 and 5 (when Luck was returning from his first injury of the season).
Despite the poor showing, the Colts are still looking to make Luck the highest-paid player in the NFL. In doing so, Indy is betting the 26-year-old quarterback will not only be healthier in 2016, but that he'll also play much better.
