Marcus Sherels could earn his first ever Pro Bowl invite this season

According to a report, C.J. Ham, Marcus Sherels and Xavier Rhodes will represent the Minnesota Vikings as this season’s Pro Bowl alternates.

Earlier this week the Minnesota Vikings had four players named to the 2019 Pro Bowl. The group consisting of Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr, Adam Thielen and Danielle Hunter was a strong representation for the Vikings. But as with any Pro Bowl roster, the selections are not set in stone due to injuries and players opting not to participate.

With that, there are plenty of alternates who could be making the trip to Orlando in a few weeks and according to the Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer on Friday, Minnesota has three players on the waiting list that includes C.J. Ham, Marcus Sherels, and Xavier Rhodes.

Rhodes hasn’t been himself during the 2018 season, but he obviously did enough to be in the conversation for a Pro Bowl spot.

His stats this year aren’t jumping off the page with 41 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, and one interception. But Rhodes’ reputation as a shutdown corner may have put him on the list despite his injury marred season.

Ham has been reliable as the fullback in the Vikings’ offense this year and with the position being phased out in many offenses, the list of candidates to get to the Pro Bowl may have been a short one.

Regardless, Ham has popped up when Minnesota has need a sneaky play in the passing game, recording 11 catches for 85 yards this season. He’s also offered great blocking to help spring the Vikings’ rushing attack.

Last but not least is punt returner Marcus Sherels, who always seems to be on the cutting floor of the Viking Twitterverse in August, but has been a steady presence on special teams in the past eight seasons.

After having one of his weaker seasons with 9.5 yards per return last year, Sherels has averaged 12.0 yards a return this season and has 276 total return yards on 23 returns.

If they are selected as replacements, it would be the first trip to the Pro Bowl for Minnesota natives Ham and Sherels and the third for Rhodes. The Pro Bowl will be played on January 27 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.