HOUSTON – Texans punter Tommy Townsend was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Townsend averaged 50.4 yards per punt with a 47.8 net average on five punts in a playoff-clinching victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
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He had four punts downed inside the 20-yard line and had a long boot of 56 yards. That included a punt downed inside the 2-yard line.
“Honestly,a big thing is the gunners going down there, releasing downfield, making plays, forcing fair catches,” said Townsend, who also credited rookie long snapper Austin Brinkman’s expertise. “It’s just a big testament to them. Awards like this are they’re not just for me, it’s for the entire punt team.
“It’s the same thing if a receiver gets it, it’s a testament to the offense, quarterback or line going out and making plays. Huge shout-out to those guys. I appreciate them and they’ve done a great job.”
For the season, Townsend has pinned 28 punts inside opponents’ 20-yard line. That ties him for fourth in the NFL and third in the AFC.
He has a 41.9 net punting average.
Since joining the Texans in 2024, he has 47 punts downed inside the 20-yard line for the most in the NFL during that span. This is the fourth time he has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
He’s the first Houston punter to win the award since Shane Lechler in 2016.
“I get really fired up,” Townsend said. “That’s why I do it. I love going out and trying to make plays and put my guys in good position to make plays and that just fires me up.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KRPC 2 and click2houston.com