Kansas City Chiefs rookie punter Tommy Townsend is being recognized with weekly honors for the first time in his NFL career.
Townsend was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after a massive performance against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. He pinned the Drew Brees and the Saints offense back inside the 20 three times during the game. In total, he had six punts for 243 yards with a long punt of 61. He also had a dropkick for 57 yards when the Saints forced a safety on Demarcus Robinson.
Punters don’t often get recognized for this award. Townsend is the first punter to earn the award since Week 2 of the 2019 season, back when Browns P Jamie Gillan was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Chiefs special teams coordinator said Townsend was given the highest possible grade by the coaching staff coming out of the 2020 NFL Draft and he’s lived up to that reputation. The rookie has amassed 46 punts for 2,092 yards for a net average of 45.5 yards per punt. He also has completed one pass for 13 yards on a trick play.
Townsend is now the third different member of the Chiefs this season to earn AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, joining Byron Pringle (Week 7) and Harrison Butker (Week 2). They’re the only team to have three players earn special teams weekly honors this season, a testament to Toub and the coaching staff.
