Broncos veteran safety Brian Dawkins has been added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster.
Dawkins brings the Broncos’ total of 2011 Pro Bowlers to six, the team’s highest total since 2001.
But it seems unlikely Dawkins, who was a first-alternate in Pro Bowl voting, will be able to play in Hawaii.
A neck injury kept Dawkins out of most or all of the team’s last six games, including both playoff games. He last practiced in late December, and played the first quarter of the team’s loss at Buffalo on Dec. 24.
He and the team were hopeful he might be able to return to practice on a limited basis this week had the Broncos defeated the Patriots last week.
This is Dawkins’ ninth Pro Bowl selection, tying him with John Lynch for second all-time among safeties. It is his second selection since becoming a Bronco in 2009.
The other Broncos heading to Hawaii next week are cornerback Champ Bailey, linebacker Von Miller, defensive end Elvis Dumervil, left tackle Ryan Clady and running back Willis McGahee. Like Dawkins, Clady and McGahee were added to the roster when other players pulled out with injuries.
Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com
