You can add Tom Brady to a widening list of NFL stars pulling out of next week’s Pro Bowl taking place in Miami a week before the Super Bowl. Brady played the final games of the season with rib and finger injuries and decided that playing in the Pro Bowl might put his health at risk. The five-time Pro Bowler is the second AFC quarterback to bow out of the game as Steelers’ star Ben Roethlisberger announced he would not play after he was selected. Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans will replace Brady who has now turned down two Pro Bowl invitations as he also declined to play in the 2006 Pro Bowl.

Brady had a solid year in 2009 after missing the 2008 season with a serious knee injury he suffered in the first game of the year. Throwing for 4,770 yards, Brady battled through injury helping the Patriots to another AFC East division title earning the 2009 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in the process. The 32-year-old did not play well in the Pats’ 33-14 loss to Baltimore Ravens throwing three inteceptions. With the injury problems Brady has had in recent years risking further injury in the Pro Bowl was probably not the best idea. Hopefully, #12 will heal up from the season quick and come into next season 100%.

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