Report: Pro Bowl nod for Broncos QB Siemian, can’t go due to injury

From afterthought in the race to earn a starting role to a Pro Bowl nod as an alternate — it’s not been the worst of seasons for Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian.

According to a report from 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis, Siemian earned a Pro Bowl invitation from the NFL on Monday as an alternate but will not participate due to a injury.

Trevor Siemian story nearly had incredible ending. NFL invited Broncos QB to Pro Bowl today. Couldn’t play due to own injury. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) January 24, 2017

Siemian underwent minor elective surgery on his shoulder in early January, amid the Broncos search for its next head coach, and should be fully recovered before the beginning of offseason workouts in April.

Had he been healthy, Siemian would have joined offensive teammates Demaryius Thomas, who received an invite Monday as a replacement for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, and Emmanuel Sanders, who earned a trip last week as a replacement for Oakland Raiders wideout Amari Cooper.

Broncos safety Darian Stewart also made it as a replacement, going in the place of injured Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry, joining a trio of Denver defenders — cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr and linebacker Von Miller — selected to the original squad.

Seeing his first action in just his second professional year, Siemian started 14 games for the Broncos after earning the starting role over veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez, whom many had pegged as the likely starter heading into training camp.

Siemian threw for 3,401 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, averaging 242.9 yards per game, completing 59.5 percent of his passes, and earning an 84.6 quarterback rating.

However, the young quarterback failed to crack the top 10 in most all the NFL’s passing categories, hovering around the No. 20 mark in most, and Pro Football Focus ranked him 30th in the league with “poor” rating of 44.4.

The AFC’s three quarterbacks selected to the game originally had to be replaced due to Super Bowl commitments (Tom Brady) or injury (Derek Carr and Ben Roethlisberger), and several quarterbacks declined the invitation before Siemian received the offer.

As of Monday, Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals and Alex Smith of the Chiefs will represent the conference at quarterback.

The Pro Bowl will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.