Tommy Townsend named September’s AFC Special Teams Player of Month

Tommy Townsend has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September after a strong start to the year for the Chiefs.

After a which in which the Kansas City Chiefs have been asking questions about nearly every aspect of their special teams units, the one player who has been a steadying presence was rewarded on Thursday. Per a league announcement, Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September.

The Chiefs’ special teams units were an absolute mess on Sunday in their close loss to the Indianapolis Colts, with missed kicks and multiple fumbles, but Townsend was once again an important weapon in a game of field position. His strong leg continues to pin opponents deep in their own territory time and again.

For the month, Townsend had 11 punts that went for an exceptional average of 55.6 yards and five of those were downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line or less. Townsend’s net average of 49.6 yards/punt (allowing for return yardage) leads the entire league.

Townsend won this same award for the first and only other time last November.

The Chiefs are looking forward to getting Harrison Butker back as their primary kicker, as he’s also earned this same award on three separate occasions. Together, they form one of the best young specialist units in the game. Unfortunately for K.C., Butker has been out since Week 1 with an ankle injury.

The Chiefs travel to Tampa next for their Week 4 contest against the Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football.