FOXBORO — After sending eight players to the NFL’s annual all-star Hawaiian exhibition last year, just two players will represent the New England Patriots at the Pro Bowl this year, but for first-time honorees Stephen Gostkowski and Wes Welker, it’s a special recognition.

“It means a lot. It’s definitely a position I didn’t think would ever come true,” said Welker, the undrafted receiver who on Sunday became the first wideout in Patriots history to record back-to-back 100-catch seasons. “I’m definitely very excited and very humbled by it.”

Welker is on a pace to surpass the single-season franchise record of 112 receptions he had last year. He is currently at 102, with two games to play. Of his catches, 22 have been on third down, extending Patriots drives.

“It’s exciting,” Gostkowski said yesterday. “Any time you’re recognized, especially by coaches and other players, and they think you do a good job, it’s rewarding.”

The third-year kicker, selected in the fourth round out of Memphis in 2006, has been remarkably consistent this season, converting 30 of 33 field-goal attempts and all 34 extra-point tries. Gostkowski began the season by hitting his first 10 field goals, and was the AFC special-teams player of the month for October, when he converted 9 of 10 field goals.

He also has 16 touchbacks this season.

Head coach Bill Belichick opened his news conference by congratulating Welker and Gostkowski, but added he believes there are several other Patriots players worthy of Pro Bowl berths. “That’s usually the way it is every year,” Belichick said.

First and foremost on the Pats’ list of snubs would be Vince Wilfork. The nose tackle earned his first honor last year, and his play certainly has not fallen off. However, with fan, coach and player voting accounting for one-third each, the notion that Wilfork is a dirty player may have played a role in his being left off the AFC squad.

Hobbs is honored

Ellis Hobbs was named AFC special-teams player of the week yesterday, after his 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Oakland, which was part of a 126-yard effort on three returns.

It was the second such honor for Hobbs, who also was recognized after the season-opener last year, when he set an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff-return touchdown against the Jets. Hobbs now has three returns for TDs in his career, tying the franchise record set by Raymond Clayborn, and the 1,266 kick-return yards he’s totaled this year are a single-season team record.

Roll call

New England listed 13 players on its participation report yesterday, after holding practice inside Gillette Stadium for the first time this regular season.

Matt Cassel was back with the Patriots after his father’s funeral in California on Tuesday. He reportedly used team owner Robert Kraft’s private plane to fly from Oakland after Sunday’s game to Northridge, just outside Los Angeles, and then back to Massachusetts.

Missing practice were LT Matt Light, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first half against Oakland; LB Tedy Bruschi (left knee) and S James Sanders (abdomen).

Limited for the day were RB Kevin Faulk and WR Randy Moss, who were listed as not injury related; the same thing happened last week, so the two veterans are likely getting some rest. CB Ellis Hobbs (shoulder), DT Ty Warren (groin), NT Vince Wilfork (shoulder), DB Lewis Sanders (shoulder), LB Gary Guyton (ankle), LB Vince Redd (ankle), WR Kelley Washington (thigh) and OT Mark LeVoir (ankle) were also limited.

Four players were wearing black jerseys as practice players of the week for the Raiders game: TE David Thomas, DE Le Kevin Smith, DE Titus Adams and S Mark Dillard.

For Arizona, LB Clark Haggans (foot) has been ruled out. Four players, including WR Anquan Boldin (shoulder) and DE Travis LaBoy (ankle) did not participate, and three others were limited, including WR/special-teamer and former Brown star Sean Morey (shoulder).

smanza@projo.com