Owens, Seymour bow out
KAPOLEI, Hawaii – Philadelphia receiver Terrell Owens and New England defensive end Richard Seymour will sit out the Pro Bowl because of injuries.
Owens, who played exceptionally well on his surgically repaired ankle in the Super Bowl, was replaced on the NFC’s roster Wednesday by St. Louis receiver Torry Holt. Seymour, who has a minor knee injury, was replaced by Jacksonville’s John Henderson on the AFC squad.
Owens and Seymour both made the trip to Hawaii, but they’ll spend the week unwinding from the Patriots’ 24-21 victory over the Eagles. New England running back Corey Dillon also dropped out of the NFL’s all-star game Tuesday with an injury.
Owens returned to the Eagles’ starting lineup in the Super Bowl just 6 1/2 weeks after ankle surgery, defying his doctors’ advice. Though playing with two screws in the ankle and a metal plate on the outside, he didn’t appear slowed, catching nine passes for 122 yards in Philadelphia’s loss to New England.
He had an outstanding first season in Philadelphia, catching 77 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns while becoming Donovan McNabb’s favorite target. Owens wasn’t available for comment while the NFC squad practiced Wednesday.
Owens has been selected for five Pro Bowls, but he also missed the game with an injury last season. A few weeks later, the Eagles acquired him in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers.
Seymour was selected for his third straight Pro Bowl after recording 39 tackles and five sacks this season. His pass-rushing abilities were a major factor in the Patriots’ dominant defensive play on the way to their third Super Bowl victory in four seasons.
Though he knew he probably wouldn’t be allowed to play in the Pro Bowl, Seymour still made the trip from Boston to Hawaii on Pats owner Robert Kraft’s jet.
“Any time you (get chosen for) the Pro Bowl, you always want to leave the Super Bowl and come over here,” Seymour said while his AFC teammates practiced. “When you come over, everyone is congratulating you. It’s just the ultimate high. … I don’t have to rub it in. They just respect it. We don’t have to say nothing. They know.”
Holt earned his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl with another prolific season for the Rams. He finished third in the NFL with 94 receptions and fourth with 1,372 yards, making him the first player in NFL history with five consecutive seasons with at least 1,300 yards receiving.
Henderson will appear in his first Pro Bowl. He made 98 tackles for the Jaguars this season, sharing the team lead with 5 1/2 sacks while starting all 16 games.