Andrew Luck may not win the Rookie of the Year award, but he will play in the Pro Bowl as Luck will replaced New England's Tom Brady on the AFC roster. Brady will miss the game due to an undisclosed injury.
Andrew Luck to replace Tom Brady in Pro Bowl
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck will replace Tom Brady in the Pro Bowl after Brady pulled out due to an injury.
Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
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The trip to the Pro Bowl caps a successful rookie season for the 2012 No. 1 pick. Luck set the NFL rookie record for passing yards in a single-season while also leading the Colts to an 11-5 record and berth in the playoffs. Even though the season ended up successful, it wasn’t without issue.
After being taken No. 1 overall, Luck was thrust into the position of replacing franchise icon Peyton Manning Indianapolis. To make matters even more difficult, while Luck threw three interceptions in a season-opening loss to Chicago, No. 2 pick Robert Griffin III tossed two touchdowns in an upset win.
Luck and Griffin were constantly compared during the season, but after the rough start Luck settled in and began to quiet any doubters. Luck led the Colts to an 6-2 record over the final eight games, helping Indianapolis clinch a wild card spot in the AFC. Indianapolis locked up a playoff berth with two wins in their final three games, a stretch where Luck tossed five touchdowns ano no interceptions.
His best game of the year came right at midseason as Luck completed 30 of 48 passes for 433 yards and two touchdowns against the Dolphins. He followed that up the next week by completing nearly 70 percent of his passes and rushing for two touchdowns against Jacksonville.
He finished the season with 4,374 passing yards, breaking Cam Newton's rookie record by more than 300 yards. While he may not be the runner Griffin is, Luck also rushed for 255 yards and five touchdowns this season. By making the Pro Bowl, Luck joined Newton and Miami Dolphins left tackle Jake Long as the only No. 1 picks to make the Pro Bowl during their rookie season since 2000.
Luck is the third rookie quarterback to be named to the Pro Bowl roster this season. Griffin was voted to the original roster but had to withdraw due to an injury. Seattle's Russell Wilson joined Luck as an injury replacement on Monday. All three are also in competition for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
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