NEW YORK — Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has achieved an impressive milestone by logging his 11th consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards. This achievement has also secured him a spot in the Pro Bowl for the sixth time in his career.
On Monday, it was announced that Evans would participate in the Pro Bowl Games as a replacement player due to vacancies created by the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, the teams competing in this year’s Super Bowl, as well as due to various injuries among other players. With this latest selection, Evans has now matched the franchise record held by former Buccaneers fullback Mike Alstott for the most Pro Bowl selections in team history. Despite having missed three full games and a significant portion of another due to a hamstring issue, Evans finished the season with 1,004 receiving yards, notably reaching this figure with a 9-yard catch during the last moments of the Buccaneers’ season finale.
In addition to Evans, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has also been named to the Pro Bowl for the first time, stepping in to take over for Eagles star Saquon Barkley. Meanwhile, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers from the New York Giants has been added to the roster, marking the first time since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014 that a Giants rookie has made the Pro Bowl.
Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner has been designated as a replacement for Philadelphia’s Zack Baun, just one day after the Commanders suffered a significant defeat to the Eagles in the NFC Championship game. This marks Wagner’s 10th Pro Bowl appearance. Other replacements include New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy who will take over for the Eagles’ Cam Jurgens, and Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams who replaces Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter. Both players will be making their second Pro Bowl appearances.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill will also participate for the second time, stepping in for Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson. Carolina Panthers guard Robert Hunt replaces Eagles offensive lineman Landon Dickerson, and Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker will fill in for his injured teammate Penei Sewell.
In the AFC, Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith will replace Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, while Cleveland Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio is set for his seventh straight Pro Bowl appearance as he takes the place of Kansas City’s Joe Thuney. Additionally, New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams will be appearing for the third consecutive year in place of the Chiefs’ Chris Jones.
The Pro Bowl Games will take place from Thursday to Sunday in Orlando, featuring a series of skills competitions followed by a flag football game.
