More Pro Bowl additions
Washington Redskins linebackers London Fletcher and Ryan Kerrigan will head to the Pro Bowl as replacements for Super Bowl-bound San Francisco 49ers linebackers Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith.
The 37-year-old Fletcher is going to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl. Kerrigan, a second-year player, gets his first trip to the exhibition game.
Their additions give the Redskins five Pro Bowl selections for the first time since 1996. They join rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, who will miss the Pro Bowl after knee surgery; left tackle Trent Williams and special teamer Lorenzo Alexander.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Doug Martin also is being added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster, taking the place of San Francisco 49ers runner Frank Gore.
Martin is the Bucs’ first rookie in the Pro Bowl since kick returner Clifton Smith in 2008.
Martin, the 30th pick in last April’s NFL draft, ran for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. His yards rushing ranked fifth in the league.
Also, Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece will replace Baltimore’s Vonta Leach on the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster after the Ravens earned a trip to the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Fight
A man was injured in a fight outside the Georgia Dome and taken to nearby Grady Hospital following Atlanta’s loss to San Francisco in the NFC title game.
Georgia Dome spokesman Jason Kirksey said in an email that an altercation occurred outside the dome at 6:40 p.m.
The 35-year-old’s name was not released. The statement says he is in stable condition and that it is unclear “if anyone involved in the altercation attended the game.” Georgia Dome and Atlanta police “are investigating the incident.”
WSB-TV reported a Falcons fan and a 49ers fan argued after the game and the Atlanta fan punched the San Francisco fan, who pulled out a knife. They reported one of the two men was stabbed in the neck.
Injuries
Falcons running back Michael Turner limped off the field of Sunday’s NFC title game against San Francisco in the third quarter with a sprained ankle. … New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley left Sunday’s AFC championship game after being hit in the head in the fourth quarter. Baltimore Ravens safety Bernard Pollard brought Ridley down on an 8-yard run at the Patriots 47 yard-line. The New England running back twisted awkwardly as he fell to the turf, landing on his bottom and knocking the ball loose with his knee in the process.
