Honolulu – Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer will not be making his first Pro Bowl appearance afterall when the AFC and NFC stars square off Sunday.
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said today that Plummer will miss the game and the trip to Hawaii because of a pulled abdominal muscle, but that the injury is not serious. He will be replaced on the AFC roster by Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair.
Plummer originally was the No. 2 alternate at quarterback for the AFC. However, No. 1 alternate Drew Brees of San Diego suffered a torn labrum while playing against the Broncos on Dec. 31 and underwent surgery.
Next to fall was Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer, who suffered a knee injury during the Bengals’ first-round playoff loss to the Steelers. Palmer had been named to the team along with quarterbacks Peyton Manning of Indianapolis and Tom Brady of New England.
This is Plummer’s ninth season in the NFL and third with the Broncos.
