Greenway to replace Ware in Pro Bowl

Greenway to replace Ware in Pro Bowl

Published Jan. 10, 2013 3:55 p.m. ET

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Chad Greenway will make his second straight trip to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl after the Minnesota Vikings linebacker was selected to replace injured Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

Greenway, who was the first alternate at outside linebacker for the NFC, will get the chance to represent Minnesota after finishing second in the league with 148 tackles this season. Greenway made his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season, also as an alternate.

Considered one of the top 4-3 outside linebackers in the NFC, Greenway finished in the final voting behind Ware, San Francisco's Aldon Smith and Green Bay's Clay Matthews, all outside linebackers in 3-4 systems known for producing higher sack totals. Greenway was second to only Carolina rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly this season in tackles and added three sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

Greenway becomes the first Vikings linebacker to make it to back-to-back Pro Bowls since Scott Studwell in 1987 and 1988. Greenway has led Minnesota in tackles the past five seasons, one behind Studwell's franchise-high six straight seasons. He has played in 80 consecutive games, the second longest-streak among NFL linebackers.

Joining Greenway in Hawaii will be running back Adrian Peterson, defensive end Jared Allen, fullback Jerome Felton and kicker Blair Walsh. Left tackle Matt Kalil and center John Sullivan are also alternates but haven't been selected yet. Long snapper Cullen Loeffler could also be chosen to participate.

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