Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen was added to the Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement for Houston's J.J. Watt on Thursday. This is the first time the six-year veteran has been selected to the Pro Bowl.

In 15 games this season Griffen had 10 ½ sacks. He also had 44 tackles and a forced fumble of Aaron Rodgers in the Vikings' season-ending victory at Green Bay.

Griffen played with a shoulder injury for a chunk of the season, and coach Mike Zimmer said earlier this week that Griffen was putting off surgery, presumably on that shoulder, in case he was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Griffen will give Adrian Peterson a Vikings teammate at the Pro Bowl. Peterson, the 2015 rushing champ, was the only Vikings player named to the Pro Bowl when the rosters were originally announced last month.

The Pro Bowl is Jan. 31 in Honolulu.

MATT VENSEL