Even in a year when he probably will break the NFL record for net punting, the Saints’ Thomas Morstead did not take a Pro Bowl invitation for granted.

With only one punter getting that honor from each conference, he knew the road was difficult, making him feel even better when he learned Wednesday he would represent the NFC.

“There’s still a little bit disbelief, I guess,” he said Thursday. “I haven’t been able to celebrate yet because we still have one more game left, but it’s an awesome feeling for sure.”

Morstead’s average net is 44.4 yards, four-tenths of a yard more than the record the 49ers’ Andy Lee set last season. Lee ranks second to him this year, more than a yard behind.

“I see on the AFC side, a guy like (Kansas City’s) Dustin Colquitt, who’s a nine-year guy, getting his first Pro Bowl, so it’s really hard to do,” Morstead said. “There’s no guarantee you’ll go back.”

Net punting is a team statistic, but Morstead, a fourth-year pro, also leads the league in gross average at 50.5 yards. This, even though he says he has sacrificed a little length for directional kicks, placing the ball closer to the sideline to make returns more difficult.

“He’s made an impression ever since he’s been here because of his work ethic,” Saints special teams coach Greg McMahon said of Morstead. “He’s a team-oriented player. To be voted by his peers and coaches around the league is big for our team.”

Morstead’s next big decision will be picking who will accompany him to Hawaii. He knows he will take long snapper Justin Drescher, his parents, his fiancé and her parents. After that, he’s not sure.

Regardless, his first priority in Hawaii will be hitting the beach.

“I know I could use a tan,” he said. “So, I’m excited about it.”

Special teams aces: The Saints have allowed 6.1 yards per punt return, a middle-of-the-pack number in the NFL rendered more impressive by the distance they have to cover tracking down Morstead’s punts.

McMahon named several players on Thursday who were pivotal in the good punt coverage, starting with veterans Courtney Roby, Will Herring, Ramon Humber and Jonathan Casillas. Of the young players, he singled out rookie Corey White before he went on injured reserve, Jerico Nelson, who has been active the past couple weeks, and Rafael Bush.

“When we kept Jerico Nelson on our practice squad, he was a pain in the behind for all of our guys,” McMahon said. “On punt rush he was hard to block. (Tight end) Dave Thomas comes to me and tells me he’s going to play great because he plays the game every day.”

Injury update:  RB Pierre Thomas, CB Jabari Greer and DT Akiem Hicks missed practice on Thursday. Everyone else was full go, including FB Jed Collins, who did not participate Wednesday and missed last Sunday’s game against Dallas with a knee injury.

If Greer can’t play, Elbert Mack (12 tackles, one interception) could get his second start of the season after opening in the nickel package against Tampa Bay on Dec. 16. The other option, Johnny Patrick, was burned badly on a fourth-and-10, 19-yard tying TD from Tony Romo to Miles Austin in the final minute of regulation last Sunday.

Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on Twitter @CBSSaints.