One star was conspicuously missing when the Associated Press announced its NFL All-Pro first team Friday: Tom Brady.

Three rookies among 17 first-time selections highlight the team: Tennessee right tackle Jack Conklin, Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott, and Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill, a unanimous choice as a punt returner.

The Patriots quarterback, who was stellar after serving a four-game suspension to begin the season, was edged by Atlanta’s Matt Ryan for first-team honors. Brady was named to the second team.

The only Patriot named to the first team was Matthew Slater as the special teamer. Right tackle Marcus Cannon, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, cornerback Malcolm Butler, safety Devin McCourty, and special teamer Nate Ebner also were named to the second team.

Ryan, the former Boston College star, had the league’s top passer rating at 117.1, with 38 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. Brady had a passer rating of 112.2 with 28 touchdown passes and two interceptions.

Ryan also led the league in yards per attempt (9.3) and yards per completion (13.3).

Ryan was one of three Falcons named to the team, along with edge rusher Vic Beasley Jr., the NFL’s sacks leader with 15½, and wide receiver Julio Jones.

‘‘There are so many things that don’t show up on the stat sheet,’’ Falcons coach Dan Quinn said of Ryan. ‘‘How many people he’s affected on our team. He’s a fantastic teammate. That’s one of the highest praises you can give to a ballplayer.’’

It’s the first time since 1981 that so many first-year players made the team. Back then, it was future Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor and Ronnie Lott, and 1980 Heisman-winning running back George Rogers.

With only seven repeaters from last season’s squad, the All-Pro Team has a decidedly new flavor not only in alignment, but makeup. Not surprisingly, the Cowboys have the most players selected with five: Elliott, the league’s leading rusher; linebacker Sean Lee; and offensive linemen Tyron Smith (left tackle), Travis Frederick (center), and Zack Martin (right guard).

Kansas City was next with four: Hill, tight end Travis Kelce, safety Eric Berry, and cornerback Marcus Peters.

For the first time, the nationwide panel of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters who regularly cover the NFL voted for specific positions on the offensive line, a flex player on offense, a fifth defensive back, and a punt returner, and special teamer.

TE Green in doubt

Steelers tight end Ladarius Green sat out practice Friday, putting his availability for Sunday’s playoff game against Miami in doubt.

Coach Mike Tomlin held Green out after expressing concern about Green’s performance in practice Thursday. Green missed Pittsburgh’s final two regular-season games after being put in the concussion protocol following a helmet-to-helmet hit against Cincinnati Dec. 18.

Tomlin said Friday ‘‘we didn’t get the type of results we wanted [from Green]’’ and that Green remains in the concussion protocol.

Green spent the first eight weeks of the season on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from ankle surgery. He returned against Dallas and caught 18 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown in six games.

Jesse James will likely start against the Dolphins if Green can’t go.

Tannehill vs. Patriots?

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill practiced on a limited basis and might be available next week if his team advances in the playoffs. If the Dolphins win, they'll play at New England on Jan. 14.

Tannehill said he doesn’t know whether he'll be ready to play next week.

‘‘Right now it’s tough to say,’’ he said. ‘‘I'm doing everything I can to get out there as soon as possible, as soon as they clear me to go.’’

Tannehill worked with the scout team in his first practice since being sidelined against the Cardinals in Week 14 because of a sprained left knee. He has been ruled out of Sunday’s game, and 10-year veteran Matt Moore will make his first playoff start.

Before practice, Miami waived backup defensive end Jason Jones, signaling four-time Pro Bowler Mario Williams will likely make his playoff debut this week as a reserve.

Starting cornerback Byron Maxwell again sat out practice and is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury that has forced him to miss the past two games.

Coach Adam Gase described Tannehill’s return to practice as one of his ‘‘baby steps’’ regarding recovery. Postseason surgery hasn’t been ruled out, Tannehill said, and the risk of further damage if he plays is still be assessed.

‘‘That’s something we’re working through, just figuring out where my knee is at structurally,’’ Tannehill said.

Secondary shuffle

The Packers say Quinten Rollins will not play in their NFC wild-card game Sunday against the Giants after the cornerback was evaluated this week for a concussion.

However Green Bay’s battered secondary might get Damarious Randall back from a knee injury. The second-year cornerback, who was listed as questionable, was a full participant in the team’s last practice Thursday.

Both Randall and Rollins, who also has a neck injury, were hurt last week against Detroit.

Joe Thomas, the Packers’ best inside linebacker on coverage, is also questionable with a back injury, along with outside linebacker Nick Perry (hand).

Search is on

The Niners interviewed Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan for their head coach opening and Minnesota assistant general manager George Paton for their GM vacancy. Team CEO Jed York met with both candidates as part of his cross-country tour of interviews. The Niners are scheduled to talk with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on Saturday . . . Broncos general manager John Elway began his third coaching search in six seasons with a visit to Kansas City to interview Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub. Elway will also travel to Atlanta this weekend to meet with Shanhan, whose team, like Toub’s, has a first-round bye.

Elway’s docket also includes a visit next week with Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. If Miami beats Pittsburgh on Sunday, that interview will be in Florida. Otherwise, the Broncos could fly him in.

Joseph impressed Elway during an interview the last time Denver’s head coaching job was open. When Gary Kubiak got the nod, the Broncos tried to hire Joseph as defensive coordinator but the Bengals wouldn’t let him out of his contract and that job went to Wade Phillips instead.