SANTA CLARA – Six 49ers made the Pro Bowl, including first-timer Talanoa Hufanga, whose early-season interceptions and all-around hustle helped set the tone for what’s now the NFL’s top-ranked defense.
The NFC West-winning 49ers also saw Pro Bowl honors bestowed upon defensive end Nick Bosa, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner and left tackle Trent Williams.
Running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, cornerback Charvarius Ward, center Jake Brendel, kicker Robbie Gould, return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud and punter Mitch Wishnowsky are alternates for the Feb. 5 all-star festivities in Las Vegas — if the 49ers are not preoccupied with a Super Bowl appearance the next weekend.
Snubbed from both those lists is linebacker Dre Greenlaw, guard Aaron Banks, long snapper Taybor Pepper and special-teams player Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, all of whom finished among the top 10 at their positions in fan voting, as did the six who were elected to the Pro Bowl.
Instead of McCaffrey, the NFC’s three Pro Bowl spots for running back went to NFC East options: Saquon Barkley (New York Giants), Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys) and Miles Sanders (Philadelphia Eagles).
Warner was joined by Demario Davis (New Orleans Saints) as the NFC’s only inside linebackers; the outside linebackers picked were Micah Parsons (Cowboys), Za’Darius Smith (Minnesota Vikings) and Haason Reddick, (Philadelphia Eagles).
Beating Ward out at cornerback were Darius Slay (Eagles), Trevon Diggs (Cowboys), Tariq Woolen (Seattle Seahawks) and Jaire Alexander (Green Bay Packers).
it’s now been 20 years since the 49ers have had a quarterback go to the Pro Bowl, with spots going to Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Geno Smith (Seahawks) and Kirk Cousins (Vikings). That position will have to wait another year from the 49ers, for perhaps Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, or whichever veteran convinces the 49ers’ brass to hire them in perhaps a few months. Purdy will make his third straight start Saturday when the 49ers (10-4) host the Washington Commanders (7-6-1) at 1:05 p.m.
The 49ers had seven players garner Pro Bowl honors last season, including Samuel, who did not make this year’s initial cut. Samuel tallied 612 receiving yards, 228 rushing yards and five total touchdowns before spraining his knee and ankle in the 49ers’ Dec. 11 win over Tampa Bay.
This season’s all-star showcase will be switched into a flag-football format Feb. 5 in Las Vegas.
Here is a closer look at the 49ers’ Pro Bowl honorees:
BOSA: This is the third Pro Bowl honor in his four seasons, and it could be a stepping stone to the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. He leads the NFL with 15 ½ and 38 quarterback hits. Of his 41 tackles, 16 are for loss, which helps reflect his impact on the NFL’s top-ranked defense.
HUFANGA: His sophomore season started hot, with four interceptions the opening nine games. He’s racked up 75 tackles (five for loss), eight passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown to help beat the Los Angeles Rams and even the 49ers’ record to 2-2.
JUSZCZYK: His seventh straight Pro Bowl season did not come without a major hurdle: he fractured his right ring finger Oct. 23 and missed only one game after surgery. He’s caught 18 of 22 targets for 174 yards and a touchdown, and he’s rushed five times for 14 yards with his lone score coming in the home opener.
KITTLE: This is Kittle’s fourth Pro Bowl selection in six seasons. Thursday night’s two-touchdown effort in Seattle helped push his career receiving total to 5,082 yards in 79 games, which are the fourth-fewest games by a tight end to reach that milestone. Kittle missed the first two games this season with a groin injury, and he’s averaging an impressive 12.9 yards per catch (46 receptions, 593 yards, and six touchdowns that match the career high he set last year).
WARNER: After making his first Pro Bowl in 2020, Warner returns this season as the vocal leader of the NFL’s top-ranked defense, and he’s produced along the way. He has a career-high 10 passes defensed, 98 tackles (three for loss), two sacks, and, in the past four games, he’s produced two takeaways (interception, forced fumble).
WILLIAMS: After missing only three games from a Sept. 25 high-ankle sprain, Williams rallied back into form as the NFL’s premier left tackle and made his 10th Pro Bowl. It’s his third in as many years since the 49ers dealt third- and fifth-round picks to acquire him in 2020 from Washington, this Saturday’s visitor to Levi’s Stadium.
Williams is only the ninth offensive lineman in NFL history to make at least 10 Pro Bowls, joining a fraternity that includes Bruce Matthews, Randall McDaniel, Will Shields, Larry Allen, Anthony Munoz, Jonathan Ogden, Willie Roaf and Joe Thomas.
Source: www.mercurynews.com