Five Seahawks are headed to the Hawaiian Islands this week to take part in the festivities and events surrounding the 2016 Pro Bowl, which is set to take place on Sunday, Jan. 31 at Honolulu's Aloha Stadium.
Quarterback Russell Wilson, defensive end Michael Bennett, linebacker Bobby Wagner, cornerback Richard Sherman, and return specialist Tyler Lockett are expected to play in this weekend's game for Seattle, with the rookie wideout Lockett already on site providing a first-hand look at paradise via the team's Snapchat account ('Seahawks'). Free safety Earl Thomas and strong safety Kam Chancellor, two of Seattle's seven Pro Bowlers named last month, have been replaced in this weekend's game due to injury according to NFL.com.Â
For the third consecutive year the Pro Bowl will feature an un-conferenced format, meaning that Wilson, Lockett, Bennett, Wagner, and Sherman could find themselves on opposite sides of the field come Sunday. Instead of the two sides being separated by NFC and AFC team affiliation, Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receivers Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin will serve as captains taking turns picking teams from the NFL's elite.Â
Rice won a coin toss at a Tuesday press conference and chose New York Giants wideout Odell Beckham Jr. and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the active player captains, to help set the Team Rice roster. Irvin was assigned Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins and Atlanta Falcons running back DeVonta Freeman, the two other active player captains who will help assemble Team Irvin.
The 2016 Pro Bowl Draft will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 4:30 p.m. PT with television coverage live on ESPN2, or via the WatchESPN app.
Thirty-four players (17 per side) were pre-selected on Tuesday from certain position groups - offensive linemen, interior defensive linemen, inside/middle linebackers, fullbacks, punters, kickers, return specialists, and special teamers, which will all be unveiled for the first time during ESPN2's live show. The rest of this year's Pro Bowl players will be drafted by Team Rice and Team Irvin during that two-hour segment.
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Once teams are finalized, each all-star squad will workout Thursday through Saturday in light practice sessions led by Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and his Kansas City staff and Packers associate head coach/linebackers Winston Moss and the Green Bay staff.
Members of our Seahawks.com staff, including digital media reporter John Boyle, will be in attendance from the week's first practice through the conclusion of Sunday's game to bring you written stories, photos, video, and social media coverage of each day's events.Â
For a complete list of 2016 Pro Bowl players, click here, and below, check out the full schedule for Pro Bowl week (all times PT):Â
Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 4:30 p.m.: 2016 Pro Bowl Draft at Wheeler Army Airfield, televised by ESPN2
Thursday, Jan. 28 at 10:45 a.m.: Team Rice practices at The Turtle Bay Resort
Thursday, Jan. 28 at 12:45 p.m.: Team Irvin practices at The Turtle Bay Resort
Friday, Jan. 29 from 10 - 11 a.m.: Team pictures for Team Irvin & Team Rice
Friday, Jan. 29 at 11:45 a.m.: Team Irvin practices at The Turtle Bay Resort
Friday, Jan. 29 at 1:45 p.m.: Team Rice practices at The Turtle Bay Resort
Saturday, Jan. 30 at 10:45 a.m.: Team Rice practices at The Turtle Bay Resort
Saturday, Jan. 30 at 12:45 p.m.: Team Irvin practices at The Turtle Bay Resort
Sunday, Jan. 31 at 4:15 p.m.: Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium, televised by ESPN
