T.J. Ward Replaces Troy Polamalu on Pro Bowl Roster

Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

It looks like Antonio Brown will be the only member of the Pittsburgh Steelers who will participate in this weekend’s Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

According to the official website of the Cleveland Browns, Troy Polamalu will sit out the game with an undisclosed injury and T.J. Ward of the Browns will take his place on the roster.

It is a shame that Pittsburgh’s Pro Bowl safety is sitting out the game, but I cannot say that I am particularly surprised. As much as the NFL’s brass are trying to make the essentially meaningless game important, veterans like Polamalu (who earned his eighth Pro Bowl nod) declining the invite has been a common practice for much of the last decade.

I personally cannot blame guys like Polamalu for electing not to participate. They usually receive bonuses in their contracts for qualifying for the Pro Bowl, not playing in it. Moreover, it makes zero sense for the veteran to risk injuring himself before he enters an offseason when he could very well be in line for a contract extension.

Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com, Spotrac and Pro Football Reference

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