After career year, Vikings’ Everson Griffen chosen for Pro Bowl

Griffen will join Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, among the original Pro Bowl selections named last month.

Minneapolis, MN (NNCNOW.com) — Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen has been named an injury replacement for Houston’s J.J. Watt in the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl, it was announced on Thursday afternoon.

The Texans star underwent surgery following Houston’s loss to Kansas City, and will not participate in the game. He also had 44 total tackles and a forced fumble. Griffen is coming off a season that saw him record 10.5 sacks in 15 games, including a pair in the Week 17 win over the Packers that made the Vikings the NFC North champions.

Griffen will give Peterson a Vikings teammate at the Pro Bowl.

The Pro Bowl is Sunday, Jan. 31 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

He finished with a team-high 10.5 sacks this season while playing through a lingering shoulder injury that may require surgery, according to head coach Mike Zimmer.

The six-year veteran from USC becomes the fifth different DE to be named to the Pro Bowl in Vikings history.

In Minnesota, Vikings fans have known for years that Everson Griffen would become a Pro Bowl player.