With the Broncos headed to Super Bowl XLVIII, the NFL will need to name replacements for the five Denver players selected to the Pro Bowl.
That process has begun.
The Cardinals announced Sunday that wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has been named to the Pro Bowl. He takes the spot of Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas.
Fitzgerald, 30, hauled in 82 passes for 954 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013. This is eighth Pro Bowl selection.
In other Pro Bowl news, Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski will take the spot of Denver’s Matt Prater, the NFL announced Sunday night. This will be Gostkowski’s second Pro Bowl nod.
Gostkowski connected on 38-of-41 field goals and forced touchbacks on 65-of-99 kickoffs in regular-season play. He was perfect on field goals for less than 40 yards (22-of-22) and extra points (44-of-44).
The NFL will also have to tab replacements for three other Broncos: quarterback Peyton Manning, tight end Julius Thomas and guard Louis Vasquez.