Giants linebacker Olivier Vernon is headed to his first Pro Bowl.
The NFL announced Thursday that Vernon has been named to the NFC Pro Bowl team, replacing injured Bears linebacker Khalil Mack.
The irony is that by most metrics, this wasn't Vernon's finest season. He missed the Giants' first five games with a high ankle sprain and finished with seven sacks -- 2 1/2 coming in the season finale against the Cowboys. Vernon also registered just 30 tackles -- a career low.
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The Giants signed Vernon to a five-year, $85 million contract in March 2016. There has been speculation that he could be a salary cap casualty this offseason.
The Pro Bowl will be played Jan. 27 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Other Giants who were selected are running back Saquon Barkley, safety Landon Collins and kicker Aldrick Rosas. Collins won't be able to play in it after undergoing surgery on a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder last month.