It sounds like Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward has a chance of playing in his first Pro Bowl this year as the former first-round draft pick out of Ohio State is an alternate for the annual All-Star game, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.
Heyward’s chances probably depend on whether or not the New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos this weekend in the AFC Championship game as their defensive end, Chandler Jones, is currently slated to go to Hawaii.
A week ago, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen was named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Houston Texans defensive ens J.J. Watt, who is recovering from groin surgery.
Should Heyward wind up being names as Pro Bowl replacement, he would join teammates quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown and guard David DeCastro as all three were named selections a few weeks ago.
Heyward recorded 54 total tackles during the regular season for the Steelers in addition to a team-high 7 sacks. He signed a long-term extension prior to the start of the season after having his fifth-year option picked up before the start of the 2014 season.
