Editor's Note: DenverBroncos.com's Stuart Zaas is in New Orleans working for the NFL during Super Bowl week. He will check in from time to time with updates leading up to the game on Sunday.
NEW ORLEANS –Following a sophomore season in which Broncos linebacker Von Miller became the team's all-time single-season sack king, he was named to the 2013 Pro Bowl as a starter for the AFC squad.
Miller became the first player in team history to earn Pro Bowl honors in each of his first two NFL seasons. However, he was forced to miss the All-Star game due to an injury.
"I withdrew from the Pro Bowl because of my left shoulder," Miller said during an appearance on behalf of Gatorade in New Orleans on Wednesday.
The injury, which Miller said would not require surgery, is something that he has dealt with ever since his first regular-season game as a Bronco.
He didn't miss any of the team's games in either of his first two seasons with the injury and would have been able to play had Denver advanced in the postseason.
"It was an injury I had lingering from my first professional game against the Raiders last year," Miller said. "It's an injury that I've had. It hasn't been a problem – obviously I haven't missed any games from it and I wouldn't have missed any other games from it if it was a game that we needed. But, it was the Pro Bowl. I went and got another opinion on my shoulder so I can be ready to go for next year."
Miller elected to pass on the Pro Bowl in favor of beginning the healing process so he can focus on the team's 2013 campaign.
"It's just rest," Miller said of the treatment plan. "I'm going to rest it and rehab it and get big and strong. I think I'll be alright. The Broncos' training staff kept me in great health throughout my first two years."
