Steelers K Boswell, DL Heyward earn first-team All-Pro honors
NFL notes
Lamar Jackson beat out Josh Allen, and Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are unanimous choices for The Associated Press 2024 NFL All-Pro Team.
Saquon Barkley received 48 of 50 first-place votes and Patrick Surtain II got 49 from a nationwide panel of media members who regularly cover the league.
“Wow, that’s crazy. That’s respect right there. That’s love,” Jefferson said of his unanimous selection and second overall.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were represented on the first team by kicker Chris Boswell and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, and on the second team by edge rusher T.J. Watt
Jackson received 30 first-place votes to Allen’s 18, making the team for the second straight year and third overall. Peyton Manning (7) and Aaron Rodgers (4) are the only quarterbacks with more All-Pro nominations in the Super Bowl era than Jackson.
Linebacker Roquan Smith, slot cornerback Marlon Humphrey and fullback Patrick Ricard joined Jackson from the Ravens (12-5).
The NFC-leading Lions (15-2) had four players selected: wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, right tackle Penei Sewell, safety Kerby Joseph and punter Jack Fox.
“They know what’s up,” said Joseph, who led the NFL with nine interceptions but was snubbed from the Pro Bowl.
Barkley, who ran for 2,005 yards in 16 games in his first season with the Eagles (14-3), and linebacker Zack Baun were Philadelphia’s first-team selections. Barkley sat out the final regular-season game with the Eagles locked into the No. 2 seed instead of chasing Eric Dickerson’s 40-year-old single-season rushing record.
Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett and 49ers linebacker Fred Warner were each chosen for the fourth time.
Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs became the first player selected at both tackle spots. Before 2016, the All-Pro roster included two tackles but didn’t differentiate between right or left side.
Elsewhere:
n Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had surgery after rupturing his Achilles tendon for the second time in three months, a setback that could sideline him for the entire 2025 season.
n Jalen Hurts has cleared the NFL concussion protocol and will start for the Philadelphia Eagles in their NFC wild-card game Sunday against Green Bay.
n Cleveland, Jacksonville and the New York Jets each will play a home game in London in 2025. Their opponents will be revealed, along with dates and kickoff times, when the schedule is released this spring.