INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts will be sending just one player to the 2017 Pro Bowl later this month.
A third knee surgery in four years will keep punter Pat McAfee from playing in his second Pro Bowl.
On Saturday morning, McAfee took to social media to explain why he won't be kicking at the 2017 Pro Bowl, which will take place on Jan. 29 in Orlando.
"While looking at the scans of my right knee with me, my doctor informed me the injury I suffered in Week 10, is absolutely going to require surgery. This will be my 3rd knee surgery in 4 years. With that being said, after a little bit of deliberation, I am choosing not to participate in the Pro Bowl, because I do not want to risk any further damage before the surgery takes place.
…As a punter or kicker, being selected to the Pro Bowl means that your punting and kicking peers, the folks who actually know what makes a good punter or not, chose you to be the guy. For me, just as it was the first time I was selected, this is an incredible honor. I thank everybody who voted for me to be in the game but it's time I think about enjoying walking without pain for a couple weeks before my surgery makes this bad boy brand new…again."
McAfee is coming off an outstanding season. He led the NFL in punting average (49.3) and finished third in net punting (42.7).
T.Y. Hilton, who led the NFL in receiving this past season, will be the lone playing representative for the Colts at the Pro Bowl in two weeks.*
Colts.com will have coverage from the 2017 Pro Bowl.
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