With Joe Thomas injured, the winless Cleveland Browns had no players selected to the Pro Bowl, but the Browns do have two alternates -- and one will certainly play in the game. The last time the Browns did not have a Pro Bowl selection was 2006, the year before Thomas drafted. He made it every year from 2007-16 before being getting injured in Week 7 against the Titans this season.
ALTERNATES
Joe Schobert (first alternate), ILB, would be his first Pro Bowl: Schobert deserves a lot of credit for being a first alternate in his first season as a middle linebacker -- and his first season as a starter. He very quietly put up impressive numbers, and did so for a losing team. Schobert is undersized but has started every game; his 127 tackles are tied for the league high. With injured Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier ahead of him, Schobert will play in the game.
Joel Bitonio (second alternate), G, would be his first Pro Bowl: Bitonio returned from Lisfranc surgery to have a solid season. With Thomas out with a torn triceps tendon, Bitonio has become the Browns' best lineman.
SNUBS
Chris Kirksey, LB: OK, it's a reach to call this a snub, but Kirksey deserved some consideration. Kirksey ranks fourth in the NFL with 124 tackles, and like Schobert he stays on the field against the run and the pass. He is an active linebacker, but he lacks impact plays for a winless team. That will be the next step in his growth.
