Texans, Cowboys get 9 Pro Bowl selections

DALLAS — Texas’ two NFL teams have had very different seasons. 

The Houston Texans (9-7) saw some early success and have secured a spot in the playoffs by clenching the AFC South Division, despite some struggles in recent games. 

The Dallas Cowboys (7-9) meanwhile have struggled all season and will miss the playoffs after making it three seasons in a row. 

Despite that, five Cowboys players landed on the Pro Bowl roster, while only four Texans were selected. 

“As a team, the Cowboys fell short of the mark in terms of expectations for the 2024 season. But individually, there were some standout performances, and a handful of those players were recognized on Thursday,” the Cowboys said in a news release. 

All five of Dallas players selected also made the Pro Bowl last year. The list features kicker Brandon Aubrey, return specialist KaVontae Turpin, defensive end Micah Parsons, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and guard Tyler Smith.

It is the fourth straight time Lamb has been selected, while it is only the second time for both Aubrey and Smith. It is also Parsons’ fourth time making it to the Pro Bowl, which he has made every year he has played in the NFL. 

For the Texans, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and tackle Laremy Tunsil were selected as starters, and wide receiver Nico Collins and running back Joe Mixon also earned Pro Bowl selections. 

This is the first time Stingley has been selected for the Pro Bowl–who entered his third year in the league this season–while Tunsil is a Pro Bowl veteran at this point with his fifth nod. 

It is also Collins’ first Pro Bowl selection after four years with the Texans. He currently ranks fourth in the NFL and second in the AFC with 88 receiving yards per game. Mixon returns to the Pro Bowl for a second time.

The Pro Bowl Games is a series of skills competitions between the best of the NFC and the AFC. This year’s event will return to Orlando, and the Pro Bowl will again conclude with a flag football match coached by future Hall of Fame brothers Eli Manning for the NFC and Peyton Manning for the AFC.

The skills challenges will be streamed live starting Jan. 30 through Feb. 2 on ESPN from 6 to 7:30 p.m.