Baltimore Ravens back-up quarterback Tyler Huntley has been given a surprise pass to the Pro Bowl, following withdrawals from a host of NFL stars.
The Ravens star only featured in six games this season, starting four of them while franchise starter Lamar Jackson was out injured. It was confirmed on Tuesday that Huntley would be given a spot, after Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills pulled out with an elbow injury.
With Allen and Patrick Mahomes both withdrawing from the event, Huntley was a fourth-choice behind Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa and Jackson. However, all have withdrawn, meaning that Huntley will be granted a role instead.
It's going to be a very different Pro Bowl this year, with the very first flag football being tested by the NFL for the occasion. But it'll be different for other reasons, as so many of the star players will not be attending due to injury or self-exclusion.
It's still a great opportunity for those to showcase their skills on the big stage, and one that Huntley will not have expected. Huntley started in just four games for the Ravens this season, achieving a record of 2-2 along the way.
The quarterback appeared in a total of six contests, completing 67 percent of his passes in the process. Huntley finished the season with 658 yards, two passing touchdowns and three interceptions.
Huntley ran for another 137 yards and scored one rushing touchdown of his own during the season. Herbert, Tagovailoa and Jackson were meant to be the first, second and third alternatives, after Mahomes and Allen pulled out.
But they've all chosen to withdraw from the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas, for their own respective reasons. Tagovailoa has remained on concussion protocol for a month, and Mahomes has a Super Bowl to prepare for.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback picked up an ankle injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional play-off round, but still returned for their AFC Championship clash to face the Cincinnati Bengals. Mahomes is certainly not 100 percent, and was still limping on Sunday.
He still inspired a stunning 23-20 victory to send the Chiefs to the Super Bowl, but he will be taking it easy over the next two weeks to try and recover fully. The Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles on February 12, with both no.1 seeds from each conference reaching the Super Bowl.
