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Browns linebacker Joe Schobert added to Pro Bowl roster

By Thomas Moore

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns intercepts a pass during the NFL International Series match between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium on October 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns intercepts a pass during the NFL International Series match between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium on October 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Browns officially have a player going to the 2018 Pro Bowl after second-year linebacker Joe Schobert was added to the AFC squad.

Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert was officially named to the 2018 Pro Bowl roster on Tuesday.

It will be the first trip for Schobert, who was selected by the Browns in the fourth-round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Schobert was originally tapped as an alternate, but will now participate in the annual game as a replacement for Ryan Shazier, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker who suffered a spinal injury during a Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Browns announced the news on the team’s official website.

Schobert struggled as a rookie as he was miscast as an outside linebacker by former defensive coordinator Ray Horton. But this past season defensive coordinator Gregg Williams moved Schobert back to his natural middle linebacker position and Schobert shined, tying for the league-lead in tackles with 144.

The 6-foot-1 and 245-pound Schobert also contributed three sacks, forced three fumbles and intercepted a pass while starting all 16 games during the season. He becomes the first Cleveland linebacker to be selected to the Pro Bowl since Jamir Miller in 2002. Schobert is also the first Browns defensive player to make the Pro Bowl since safety Tashaun Gipson, cornerback Joe Haden and safety Donte Whitner were selected in 2015.

Schobert’s selection also keeps alive a streak of the Browns having a player in the Pro Bowl every year since 2007, a run that looked like it would come to an end when left tackle Joe Thomas was lost for the season with a torn triceps.

Left guard Joel Bitonio remains an alternate and could still be joining Schobert on the AFC roster if Kelechi Osemele (Oakland Raiders), David DeCastro (Pittsburgh Steelers) or Richie Incognito (Buffalo Bills) decide not to participate.

Next: How Browns fans watch the NFL playoffs

The 2018 Pro Bowl will be played on Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. It will be televised on ESPN and ABC.

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