Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore was slected to his fourth Pro Bowl. (AP file photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Three New England Patriots were selected to the NFL Pro Bowl.

Defensive back Stephon Gilmore, special teams captain Matthew Slater and punter Jake Bailey all received invitations to what is a week-long virtual event due to COVID-19 rather than an actual game.

Gilmore, who last year was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, will be part of his fourth Pro Bowl. He has 37 tackles with one interception and a forced fumble this season, which ended Sunday thanks to a leg injury.

Bailey is in his second year and this will be his first Pro Bowl. He ranks second in the AFC with 48.7 yards per kick, but leads the AFC with 24 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. He’s the second punter in Patriots history to make the Pro Bowl; the first was Rich Camarillo in 1983.

Slater, of course, is a Pro Bowl regular, as this will be his ninth selection, extending hs record for a special teams player. He’s tied with John Hannah for the second most selections in team history, with Tom Brady leading the way with 14. Slater has five special teams tackles this year.