It sure didn’t seem as if Eli Manning had a Pro Bowl season but he’s Honolulu-bound anyway, as he will replace Aaron Rodgers on the NFC squad for the Jan. 27 all-star exhibition game.
Manning previously was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008 and 2011. He didn’t play in last year’s game because he was otherwise occupied, preparing for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. Manning will join three Giants teammates — guard Chris Snee, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and receiver Victor Cruz — on the NFC side.
Rodgers, coming off the Packers’ 45-31 NFC divisional playoff loss to the 49ers, said yesterday on his weekly radio show that he was pulling out of the Pro Bowl because of injuries to “multiple lower extremities.’’
Said Rodgers, “I didn’t pass my physical.’’
Manning was the second alternate in the NFC quarterback pecking order. Drew Brees, the first alternate, already had replaced injured Robert Griffin III. Matt Ryan is the other NFC quarterback and he won’t be able to play in the Pro Bowl in Hawaii if his Falcons beat the 49ers in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome.
Eli’s older brother, Peyton, was ousted from the playoffs when the Broncos lost in double overtime to the Ravens and will play in the Pro Bowl for the AFC squad.