ALLEN PARK — Rookie Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin has been named the NFC special teams player of the week.

In the Lions’ 27-20 win at the Washington Redskins on Sunday, Martin averaged 52 yards per punt that included a 72-yard effort.

The last time a Lions’ punter won player of the week honors was in 1993 when Jim Arnold was mentioned.

Martin ranks sixth among NFL punters with a 48.5 yard per punt average.

A fifth-round pick out of Appalachian State, he won the job over Blake Clingan in training camp.

The Lions host the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Ford Field.

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