Vikings middle linebacker E.J. Henderson has been named as a late replacement to the NFC Pro Bowl roster for Sunday's game in Honolulu. It's just the latest accomplishment for Henderson, who returned far ahead of schedule to play this season after breaking the femur in his left leg in December 2009 at Arizona. Henderson had a titanium rod inserted in his leg during surgery. In a story Chip wrote on Henderson in December to mark the one year anniversary of his injury, Vikings head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman talked about Henderson's rehab last offseason. That included up to 20 hours of work per week. "I don't know that he missed a day, and we're talking about the dead of winter and offseason when no one is around," said Sugarman, who shortly after the injury warned people inside the Vikings organization that Henderson's career could be finished. "It was unbelievable how he attacked this injury and just was hellbent on not letting this get him off track. You really had to protect him from himself because he was trying to do too much. It was fun to watch him just crush the rehab."
Henderson, who will be making the first Pro Bowl appearance of his eight-year career, tied for the team lead with three interceptions this season and finished second on the team in tackles with 139. He has led the Vikings in tackles three times in the past six years. Henderson joins running back Adrian Peterson and cornerback Antoine Winfield on the Pro Bowl roster. Kevin Williams also was named as an injury replacement but will not attend because his wife is expecting a baby. Peterson was the lone Vikings player elected to the game.