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Six Colts named NFL All-Pro by Associated Press

Tied with Packers for most selected
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Posted at 5:39 PM, Jan 08, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-08 17:39:14-05

INDIANAPOLIS — One the eve of the playoffs, the Colts successful 11-5 regular-season has resulted in six players selected as NFL All-Pro by the Associated Press. Indianapolis tied the Green Bay Packers for the most All-Pro selections.

Honors go to: defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, center Ryan Kelly, linebacker Darius Leonard,
guard/center Quenton Nelson, safety George Odum, and long snapper Luke Rhodes.

Here's a look at each player's accomplishments:

DeForest Buckner

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DeForest Buckner of the Colts.

Buckner has played in 15 games this season, with 58 tackles (37 solo), 10.0 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Buckner established a single-season franchise record for most sacks by a defensive tackle. He was part of a Colts defense that ranked eighth in the NFL in yards per game (332.1 avg.), second in rushing yards per game (90.5 avg.) and tied for 10th in points per game (22.6 avg.) this season. This marks Buckner’s second career All-Pro selection.

Ryan Kelly

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Colts center Ryan Kelly.

Kelly started 15 games this season and was part of an offensive line that tied for the second-fewest sacks allowed (21.0) in 2020. The Colts registered four games this season without allowing a sack, which tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. Earlier this season, Kelly was named to his second career Pro Bowl.

Darius Leonard

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Colts linebacker Darius Leonard.

Leonard appeared in 14 games this season and compiled 132 tackles (86 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Despite missing two games, he finished eighth in the NFL in total tackles. Since 1987, Leonard is just the 10th player in NFL history to reach 400 career tackles in their first three seasons and tied for the second-fastest player to do it (41 games). He is a three-time All-Pro choice (Second Team in 2019 and First Team in 2018).

Quenton Nelson

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Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts.

Nelson started all 16 games for the third consecutive season. He currently ranks fourth in consecutive regular season games started (48) among active guards in the NFL. Nelson becomes the first player in franchise history to be selected Associated Press First Team All-Pro in his first three seasons. Nelson also earned Pro Bowl recognition this year and became just the third Colt in team history to earn Pro Bowl honors in his first three seasons, joining Andrew Luck and Alan Ameche.

George Odum

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The Colts George Odum.

Odum saw action in all 16 games this year and finished with a league-leading 20 special teams tackles and one forced fumble. He tied for the fifth-most special teams tackles by a Colts player in a single season since 1994. Since entering the NFL in 2018, Odum’s 35 special teams stops are tied for the third-most in the NFL.

Luke Rhodes

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The Colts Luke Rhodes.

Luke Rhodes handled long snapping duties in all 16 games for the fourth consecutive season and compiled three special teams tackles. He snapped for kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, who converted 32-of-37 field goals and 43-of-45 extra points for 139 points. Rhodes has played in 68 career games in five seasons (2016-20) with Indianapolis and has registered eight special teams tackles.