New England Patriots fans will need to find better things to do Sunday night.
There’s little point in watching the Pro Bowl (as if there ever was one) now that it appears all seven of the Patriots’ selections have backed out of the game.
Linebacker Jamie Collins, cornerback Malcolm Butler, defensive end Chandler Jones and kicker Stephen Gostkowski have joined teammates Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski in withdrawing from the NFL’s All-Star game because of injuries, according to team announcements.
Special teamer Matthew Slater told reporters Monday he’s unsure if he’ll go to Honolulu for the game because of lingering injuries. No official announcement has been made, but Slater has been replaced by Cincinnati’s Cedric Peerman, according to the NFL’s Fantasy Pro Bowl roster.
Collins (back), Jones (abdomen/toe/knee), Slater (stinger), Brady (ankle) and Gronkowski (knee/back) have been hurt in recent weeks, but Butler and Gostkowski have avoided the injury report.
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
