Harrison Smith will get to go to the Pro Bowl this year after all.
The free safety was named a first-team All-Pro earlier this month but was not among the three NFC safties named to the Pro Bowl in December. However, he was one of three Vikings players added to play in Sunday's all-star game in Orlando by the NFL on Monday.
Smith, who will appear in his third consecutive Pro Bowl, will replace the Giants' Landon Collins, who is unable to play because of injury. Tight end Kyle Rudolph, the Pro Bowl MVP five years ago, will replace injured Seattle star Jimmy Graham. And defensive tackle Linval Joseph is replacing Philadelphia's Fletcher Cox, as Eagles and Patriots players will not participate in the Pro Bowl with the Super Bowl coming the following week at U.S. Bank Stadium.
However, two Vikings selections will not play Sunday: defensive end Everson Griffen and linebacker Anthony Barr will miss the game because of injury. Like Smith, Griffen and Barr have been selected for three Pro Bowls in a row. The other two Vikings players in the game are cornerback Xavier Rhodes and wide receiver Adam Thielen, a first-time selection.
Smith, Rudolph and Joseph are three of the 27 replacements so far for this year's game.
This year's Pro Bowl will again be a traditional AFC-vs.-NFC matchup. The game is being held in Orlando's Camping World Stadium for the second year in a row.
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