Colts don't want to change the way Andrew Luck plays after his lost season

Andrew Luck would like to forget last season.

After starting his career with three consecutive Pro Bowl seasons, the Indianapolis Colts QB suffered through inconsistency (15 interceptions and 12 TD passes) and injuries in 2015. Just four weeks after returning from shoulder and rib injuries, Luck suffered a season-ending lacerated kidney on Nov. 8. Prior to those injuries, Luck hadn't missed a start since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2012.

This season, he has to acquaint himself with a new quarterbacks coach, as Brian Schottenheimer replaces Clyde Christensen. The good news for Luck is that the coaching staff isn't overreacting to one bad season.

"We're not going to change the way Andrew plays,'' Schottenheimer told ESPN. "Andrew's going to play the game. You've got to let Andrew play.''

The way Luck played resulted in a 40-TD season in 2014 and more than 4,000 passing yards in 2012 and 2014. But then came that blip on the radar in 2015.

"Nobody wants to be sitting over there watching, especially when you're a great competitor," Schottenheimer said. "I think the turnovers will happen from time to time. There are a few decisions, of course, from last year he looks at and is like, 'Man, I shouldn't have done that,' but I think that's all a part of the process. I think he grew a lot last year just by actually being able to sit back and watch a little bit."

And the Colts are working to help better protect Luck. According to NFL.com, Luck has been hit while throwing more times (375) than any other QB since 2012 -- in addition to the 115 times he has been sacked. The Colts just drafted four offensive linemen, but the coaching staff also wants him to slide more and be more willing to throw the ball away.