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The Pittsburgh Steelers were well represented in the 2019 Pro Bowl voting. While fans of the black-and-gold hoped the team would be preparing for the Super Bowl, and not be available for the annual All-Star game, this wasn’t the case yet again.
Of the Steelers who were initially voted, two of them have since backed out due to injury.
Antonio Brown backed out due to a reported injury, and teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster is taking his place. Fans might be skeptical of Brown’s “injury” considering he has posted a ton of rigorous workout videos of himself on his social media platforms, which no visible injury to mention.
The latest player to take a step away from the Pro Bowl was guard David DeCastro. News broke Thursday afternoon of DeCastro’s decision, but initially it wasn’t known why he wouldn’t be participating in the festivities.
David DeCastro out of the Pro Bowl, Joel Bitonio in.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) January 10, 2019
Thankfully, ESPN’s Pat McManamon noted DeCastro has chosen to skip the game due to an injury, and Browns guard Joel Bitonio will replace DeCastro on the roster.
Guard Joel Bitonio has been added to the Pro Bowl roster, replacing David DeCastro of the Steelers (injury). Bitonio joins defensive end Myles Garrett and rookie cornerback Denzel Ward as Browns’ Pro Bowl representatives. Bitonio is the longest-tenured... https://t.co/7VekjGL6Nh
— PatMcManamon (@PatMcManamon) January 10, 2019
We might never know what the injury is DeCastro is dealing with, and fans might think DeCastro is just blowing off the game, as many do, but the All-Pro guard went to the game last year and was an active participant.
Regardless, as of now, the following Steelers will be representing the Steelers organization, and the AFC, in just a few weeks:
James Conner
JuJu Smith-Schuster (Alternate)
Alejandro Villanueva
Maurkice Pouncey
Cameron Heyward
So, stay tuned to BTSC as we cover this meaningless football game which will be held Jan. 27 from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.