Steelers' David DeCastro won't play in Pro Bowl because of injury
Guard David DeCastro became the second Pittsburgh Steelers player to withdraw from the Pro Bowl because of an undisclosed injury when he was replaced in the all-star game Thursday by Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio.
Wide receiver Antonio Brown pulled out of the Pro Bowl last week with an injury.
DeCastro missed two games early in the season because of a fractured hand, but started the final 13 games. He was not listed on the injury report heading into the season finale against Cincinnati.
DeCastro was selected to play in his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl, but he was passed over for All-Pro consideration. He had finished first-team or second-team All-Pro in each of the previous three seasons.
DeCastro logged 958 snaps on the season and didn’t allow a sack.
With DeCastro out, the Steelers’ representatives for the Jan. 27 game in Orlando will include running back James Conner, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, center Maurkice Pouncey, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is an injury replacement for Brown.
Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe at jrutter@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tribjoerutter.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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