After filtering through injuries to players and replacement selections due to the upcoming Super Bowl, the Baltimore Ravens are now set to have five players representing the team in the NFL’s all-star game.
Four of the team’s players were originally picked for the game: Kicker Justin Tucker, fullback Kyle Juszcyzyk and guard Marshal Yanda as starters, and linebacker C.J. Mosley as a backup for the New England Patriots’ Don’t’a Hightower.
As of today, Mosley and Yanda have decided not to play in the Pro Bowl due to a calf injury, according to the Ravens’ website. However, safety Eric Weddle, who was robbed of a starting spot in the NFL’s Pro Bowl selections last month, has been moved up from his alternate spot now that Devin McCourty of the New England Patriots is playing in the Super Bowl.
Jeremy Zuttah was invited to play in the game last week to replace Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey after he decided not to attend, and long snapper Morgan Cox was another late addition to the roster after being tapped as a “need” player by AFC team coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even if he wasn’t a starting pick, Weddle, 32, is happy to be playing in his fourth-ever Pro Bowl. “It is always an honor to attend the Pro Bowl and represent your team,” he told BaltimoreRavens.com. “It was a long and trying season for me, both mentally and physically, especially with moving my family and starting over with a new team. I gave it my all every step of the way.”
Cox, now playing in his second Pro Bowl in seven seasons in the NFL, thanked his coaches and teammates in a statement. “All the hard work that we put into this game is validated when you receive such an honor,” he said. “I’m proud to represent a great organization like the Ravens, who are among the NFL’s best.”
The Pro Bowl is set for this Sunday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. It’ll air on ESPN at 8 p.m.
The late additions bring the Ravens’ total number of Pro Bowl players to seven, including those who decided not to play due to injuries. ESPN prodded a bit by noting that tally falls one short of their win total from this past season.
