Commanders’ punter Way named Washington’s lone Pro Bowler

The Washington Commanders managed to land a player — punter Tress Way — in the Pro Bowl, NFL officials announced Tuesday.

It’s the third Pro Bowl honor for the 35-year-old after he was named to the league’s all-star event in 2019 and 2022.

The Oklahoma product has punted 50 times for the 4-11 Commanders this season. Half of his boots have pinned opposing offenses inside their own 20-yard line. He ranks second in the NFC with a net average of 43.8 yards.

Way and the special teams unit were a welcome bright spot in an underwhelming season for the Commanders. Quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who were both named to the Pro Bowl last season, saw their campaigns derailed by injuries. 

A pair of Way’s specialist teammates were named as Pro Bowl alternates. Rookie receiver Jaylin Lane is a second alternate for the NFC roster after returning two punts for scores.

The Commanders placed Lane on season-ending injured reserve on Monday after he hurt his ankle during Saturday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Linebacker Nick Bellore was named a third alternate as a special teams ace. He recorded nine tackles as a specialist, leading Washington’s group on kickoffs, punt coverage and field goal blocks.

The Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks tied for the league lead with six Pro Bowlers. 

The Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions each added five Pro Bowl honorees. 

The New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings did not have any players named to the all-star roster. 

Seattle’s Sam Darnold, Dallas’ Dak Prescott and the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford will serve as primary quarterbacks for the NFC.

Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, Justin Herbert of the Chargers and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills received the same honor in the AFC. 

San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk is heading to his 10th Pro Bowl, the most ever by a fullback. Niners left tackle Trent Williams is the fourth offensive lineman selected to 12 Pro Bowls since 1970, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Bruce Matthews (14), Randall McDaniel (12) and Will Shields (12).

Colts guard Quenton Nelson is the second offensive lineman to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons since 1970, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas (10).

Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase is the third wide receiver selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons since 1970, joining Tyreek Hill (eight) and A.J. Green (seven).

Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons is the first defensive player to be named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five career seasons since Aaron Donald (10).

The NFL’s Pro Bowl rosters are selected through a combination of fan votes and ballots cast by the league’s players and coaches. For the first time, the all-star event will be hosted at the site of the Super Bowl. The league previously held the festivities at alternate locations like Las Vegas, Honolulu and Orlando, Florida. 

The NFC and AFC rosters will be coached by San Francisco 49ers’ Hall of Famers Steve Young and Jerry Rice. 

The event, which has included dodgeball and strength competitions in recent years, will be anchored by a flag football game. The NFL owners have embraced their sport’s lower-contact alternative, which will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. 

“We’ve spent a lot of time evolving our Pro Bowl, talking about how to make our Pro Bowl more attractive, both for our players participating but also our fans,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at the league’s owners meetings in October. “We spent a great deal of time talking about the objectives, and the objectives really are to celebrate and honor our incredible players, and second is to use our game as a global platform.”

Instead of playing in a traditional NFL stadium, the league’s brightest stars will face off at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. The venue is expected to accommodate 4,000 spectators for the event on Feb. 3.

• This article is based in part on wire service reports.