ENGLEWOOD, Colo. –A pair of Broncos have been added to the AFC's 2013 Pro Bowl roster, the league informed the team on Monday.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and guard Zane Beadles are Hawaii bound for the first time in their careers. Thomas replaces Wes Welker and Beadles will go in place of Logan Mankins. The pair of Patriots players both withdrew due to injuries.
Thomas and Beadles join quarterback Peyton Manning, cornerback Champ Bailey, linebacker Von Miller and defensive end Elvis Dumervil at the annual All-Star game, giving the Broncos six Pro Bowlers. Tackle Ryan Clady was also named to the roster but withdrew due to injury.
Thomas posted the third-most receiving yards in Broncos single-season history with his 1,434 yards ranking fourth in the NFL. His seven 100-yard games in 2012 tied for the second-most in club annals. Thomas' 10 touchdowns tied for seventh in the league.
Beadles started all 16 games in 2012 and was the only player to participate in every possible offensive or defensive snap. He allowed just one sack on the season, which tied for fifth-best among guards who started all 16 games.
The Broncos Pro Bowlers will see familiar faces on the sidelines, as the Broncos coaching staff will be leading the AFC squad.
Denver's seven players to earn Pro Bowl honors represent the most since the 2001 season.
Both players took to Twitter in reaction to the news:
