The Carolina Panthers had one player named to the Pro Bowl. Here’s a look at who was selected and who wasn’t selected:
Luke Kuechly, MLB, fifth Pro Bowl selection: He’s still a tackling machine and is on pace to lead the team in tackles for the fifth time in six seasons. He has 107 tackles entering Week 16. The 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year would be 6-for-6 if he hadn’t missed six games because of a concussion last season. He also has a team-best three interceptions.
SNUBS
Thomas Davis, OLB: It took voters until his 11th season (2015) to recognize Davis as an all-around outside linebacker instead of rewarding this honor to those with a high number of sacks. But that wasn’t enough to get Davis a third straight Pro Bowl trip, even though he is third on the league’s No. 5 defense in tackles with 66.
Julius Peppers, DE: The 37-year-old returned to the team that made him the No. 2 pick of the 2002 draft with a one-year deal that seemed like it would be his last. The future Hall of Famer is playing like a 27-year-old, with 10 sacks -- tied for the team lead -- so maybe he has another year left in him.
Kawann Short, DT: He’s not having the kind of season he did when he was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2015, when he led all NFL defensive tackles with 11 sacks. But with six sacks and a forced fumble, he’s been a vital part of this defense.
Mario Addison, DE: The Panthers rewarded the 30-year-old with a three-year, $22.5 million deal when he led the team in sacks last year with 9.5. He’s already topped that with 10, tying him with Peppers for the team lead, but that wasn’t good enough for his first Pro Bowl selection.
Michael Palardy, P: His ability to flip the field has helped the defense to its No. 5 ranking. Palardy has had 23 of 60 punts downed inside the 20 this season to rank among the league leaders. His 46.2 yards per punt average ranks 12th in the league.
