Four Colts have been named as alternates for the 2024 Pro Bowl games

In addition to guard Quenton Nelson being named to the Pro Bowl in 2024, the Colts announced four Pro Bowl alternates on Wednesday:

Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner:With his seventh sack of the season in Week 17, Buckner became only the third player in NFL history to have seven or more sacks in six consecutive seasons (joining Chris Jones of the Chiefs and Myles Garrett of the Browns). Buckner also has 19 quarterback hits, seven pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one defensive touchdown in 2023. Buckner was nominated to the Pro Bowl in 2018 and 2021, and he was a first-team AP All-Pro in 2020.

Linebacker Zaire Franklin: Franklin shattered his own franchise tackles mark in Week 17 and now leads the NFL with 170 tackles heading into Week 18. Franklin was named the Colts’ 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year after recording six pass break-ups and two forced fumbles this season.

Center Ryan Kelly: Kelly’s Pro Football Focus grade of 78.4 is sixth among centers, and his seven pressures allowed this season are the fewest among regular starts (the Eagles’ Jason Kelce is second with 10 pressures allowed). Kelly, the Colts’ longest-tenured player, was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.: Pittman became the fourth player in franchise history to have at least 100 receptions and 1,000 yards in a season in Week 17, and his 104 receptions rank sixth in the NFL. Since joining the Colts in 2020, his muscular presence has had a significant impact on the entire offense, and he’s matched that physicality with two 1,000-yard seasons and three 85-plus-catch seasons.