Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin has been named as a late addition to the 2011 Pro Bowl, it was announced Thursday.
Austin will replace Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson, who pulled out with an injury, the *Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News* reported. Jackson, who was voted in by fans, coaches and players, apparently tweaked his knee and did not practice today in Honolulu, an NFL spokesman said. He did not address the injury in a session with reporters and refused to discuss his contract situation, the newspaper reports.
"Heading to hawaii... Got in through the back door but I ain't complaining!," Austin tweeted.
Austin will be making his second Pro Bowl appearance, joining teammates Jason Witten, center Andre Gurode, defensive tackle Jay Ratliff, outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and punter Mat McBriar. After signing a six-year extension before the season, Austin finished with 69 catches for 1,041 yards and seven touchdowns.
Earlier Thursday, Minnesota Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson and Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey were named as late additions.
For Henderson, the honor caps a remarkable comeback from a badly broken left leg.
Henderson started all 16 games in 2010, made 106 total tackles and tied for the NFL lead among linebackers with three interceptions.
Henderson broke his leg during a December 2009 game and had a titanium rod surgically inserted. The injury required months of rehabilitation and put his career in jeopardy. But Henderson vowed to return.
He did so well that the Vikings medical staffers have presented Henderson's case to colleagues as a model for treatment.
Bailey, the Denver Broncos captain, was notified by the NFL on Thursday that he was being added to the AFC roster, replacing Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha, who is skipping the all-star game for medical reasons.
The Raiders haven't said what's wrong with Asomugha, but he missed two games this year after spraining an ankle against Seattle on Oct. 31. He was limited in practice the rest of the season but managed to play the final six games.
Bailey will be a part of the annual all-star game for the 10th time in his 12-year career, passing Hall of Famer Mike Haynes for the most Pro Bowls in NFL history at the cornerback position. He finished the 2010 season with 45 tackles, one sack and two interceptions.
He missed the final game of the season, against San Diego, because of a bruised right heel that bothered him almost the entire season but only sidelined him for the finale.
"I'm very excited to represent the AFC and the Denver Broncos at the Pro Bowl," Bailey said. "It's a great honor to play on the same field with the NFL's best, and I'm looking forward to getting out to Hawaii."
The Broncos made the announcement on their Twitter page Thursday. The Pro Bowl is Sunday in Hawaii.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
