San Francisco 49ers punter Corliss Waitman has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Weekafter his performance against the Seattle Seahawks.
Waitman punted five times for 216 yards (43.2-yard average) and dropped all five inside the 20-yard line. He had no touchbacks and a long of 51 yards.
The honor comes during a quietly strong start to the season for the 31-year-old. Through five games, Waitman has 16 punts for 756 yards, a 47.3-yard average, with nine landing inside the 20. His 56.3% inside-the-20 rate is tied for sixth among punters, and his 43.4-yard net average ranks 11th.
He hasn't been asked to do much, because the 49ers' offense rarely gives him the chance. San Francisco ranks third in scoring at 30.8 points per game and first in third-down
conversion rate at 51.9%. The 49ers are seventh in scoring drive rate (47.1%) and fourth in points per drive (2.90).
For comparison, Philadelphia's Braden Mann leads the league with 25 punts, while Waitman ranks 24th in attempts. When the 49ers have needed him, though, Waitman has delivered, and now he has the recognition to show for it.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers’ Corliss Waitman named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
