When the original 2023 Pro Bowl rosters were named, the Indianapolis Colts only had one player in the All-Star event. Quenton Nelson, named to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl, was the lone Colt to be recognized for his play this past season.
But that changed on Tuesday as a couple more Colts linemen will be participating at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. DeForest Buckner and Ryan Kelly were each named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster and will be participating in the Pro Bowl Games . Buckner and Kelly are replacing Chris Jones and Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs, who will not participate due to playing in the Super Bowl.
Buckner heads to his third Pro Bowl after being named to the game in 2018 and 2021. The former All-Pro had a fantastic season in the middle of the Colts' defensive line, racking up 81 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, 21 QB hits, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Buckner was one of four Colts to finish with 8.0 or more sacks in 2023, the only team to have four or more players reach that mark.
Kelly is heading to his fourth Pro Bowl in the last five seasons, previously being named to the game from 2019-2021. Kelly had a bounce-back season in 2023, allowing just one sack and seven pressures all season. He also performed well in the running game to open up holes for Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss. According to Pro Football Focus, Kelly finished as the No.8 ranked center in the NFL.
Nelson, Buckner, and Kelly are all very deserving of their Pro Bowl nominations after each had great seasons in 2023. The trio hopes they can improve even more on their Pro Bowl years in 2024 and lead the Colts into the playoffs.
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