NFL notes

— PRO BOWL Five Broncos in

NEW YORK - Sensational comebacks have Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson headed for the Pro Bowl.

Also selected Wednesday to the NFL’s all-star game was Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Manning missed all of the 2011 season with neck and back problems that required several operations. He then signed with Denver as a free agent and has led the Broncos on a 10-game winning streak to take the AFC West.

“I know there’s great players out there in the NFL, but there’s some great players on this team this year that deserve to go,” said Manning, whose 12th Pro Bowl is a record for quarterbacks. He ranks fourth in league passing this year, has thrown 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Four other Broncos made the AFC roster: defensive end Elvis Dumervil, linebacker Von Miller, cornerback Champ Bailey and offensive tackle Ryan Clady. Bailey’s 12th appearance is a record for defensive backs.

Minnesota’s Peterson tore up his left knee on Christmas Eve last year, underwent major surgery, then was back for the season opener. He’s gone from uncertain to unstoppable, running away with the rushing title with a career-high 1,898 yards and lifting the Vikings toward an NFC wild card.

“Coming into the season after going through the rehab process, I just told myself that I wanted to lead my team to a championship and make sure that I contribute and do my part,” Peterson said. “I’ve been doing it.”

Griffin is one of three rookie quarterbacks who had superb debut seasons, along with Andrew Luck of Indianapolis and Russell Wilson of Seattle. Luck and Wilson weren’t voted to the Pro Bowl by players coaches and fans, although theirteams are in the playoffs; Griffin can get to the postseason if Washington beats Dallas on Sunday.

“You can’t play down those kind of things,” Griffin said. “I’ve always said my whole football career that you don’t play for awards. They just come. You don’t say you’re going to win the Heisman. You don’t say you’re going to win MVP. You go out and you prove it on the field, and if everyone feels that way then they’ll give you that award.”

San Francisco had the most players selected, nine, including six from its second-ranked defense. Houston was next with eight, six on offense.

Kansas City, despite its 2-13 record that is tied with Jacksonville for worst in the league, had five Pro Bowlers, including running back Jamaal Charles, who like Peterson is coming back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

One other rookie, Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh, was chosen. Walsh has nine field goals of at least 50 yards, an NFL mark.

The AFC kicker is at the other end of the spectrum: Cleveland’s Phil Dawson earned his first selection in his 14th NFL season.

Another record setter will be heading to Honolulu for the Jan. 27 Pro Bowl: Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Johnson broke Jerry Rice’s single-season yards receiving record and has 1,892 yards with a game left.

RAVENS Lewis activated

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Linebacker Ray Lewis has been added to the Baltimore Ravens’ 53-man roster, but Coach John Harbaugh says the 17-year veteran will not play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 37-year-old was placed on the injured reserve-designated to return list after tearing his right triceps on Oct. 14. He returned to practice on Dec. 5, and in order for him to be eligible for the playoffs, the Ravens had to add him to theactive roster by Wednesday.

Baltimore cleared room for Lewis by placing wide receiver LaQuan Williams on injured reserve with a leg injury.

Lewis has missed nine consecutive games. He was eligible to return to game action two weeks ago, but he has some atrophy in his right arm after having surgery on Oct. 17.

CARDINALS Hoyer to start

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona Cardinals will give Brian Hoyer his first NFL start, less than three weeks after the team claimed him off waivers from Pittsburgh.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Wednesday that the former Michigan State quarterback will start for the Cardinals in their season finale Sunday at San Francisco.

Hoyer, who spent three seasons as a backup in New England and was out of a job for most of this season, will be the fourth starter at quarterback for the Cardinals this year, operating an offense that ranks last in the NFL.

Arizona also has gone with John Skelton, Kevin Kolb and rookie Ryan Lindley at the position. Kolb is out for the season with a rib injury. The other two were benched for lack of production.

BROWNS QB Johnson signs

BEREA, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns are down to their thirdstring quarterback.

With both Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy missing practiceWednesday with right shoulder injuries, Thad Lewis took first-team snaps in practice. Elevated from the practice squad on Monday, Lewis could make his NFL debut in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The Browns also signed free agent quarterback Josh Johnson, who played in three seasons in Tampa Bay.

Johnson replaced safety Usama Young on the roster as the Browns look for protection at quarterback, where starter Weeden went out with a sprained right shoulder in Cleveland’s 34-12 loss in Denver on Sunday.

Coach Pat Shurmur said Wednesday that McCoy also has a sore right shoulder. Rookie running back Trent Richardson also missed practice because of a sprained left ankle.

Shurmur also did not rule out McCoy.

When the Browns (5-10) play the Steelers (7-8), they will be looking for their first series sweep against their archrivals since 1988.

EAGLES Foles on IR

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles have placed quarterback Nick Foles on injured reserve and signed defensive tackle Antonio Dixon to a two-year contract.

Foles broke his hand in last Sunday’s loss to Washington. Michael Vick will start the final game of the season against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Dixon played in two games for Indianapolis Colts this season. He spent three seasons in Philadelphia from 2009-11.

The Eagles also added linebacker Marcus Dowtin to the practice squad. He played in three games for the New York Jets this year.

Sports, Pages 19 on 12/27/2012

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