EAGAN, Minn. – A trio of Vikings teammates have been named to the 2022 Pro Bowl.
Running back Dalvin Cook, receiver Justin Jefferson and safety Harrison Smith all were selected to the all-star game, the NFL and ESPN announced in waves Monday.
After last year's Pro Bowl festivities were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's game is scheduled to be played Sunday, Feb. 6, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Pro Bowl combines votes from fans, players and coaches.
Jefferson goes back-to-back for Pro Bowl honors
Make it two straight Pro Bowls for Jefferson to start his NFL career.
And making it even more special? The dynamic second-year pro found out the news from Hall of Famer Randy Moss.
Jefferson dressed properly for the announcement. He wore a 2000 Pro Bowl Moss jersey as he joined the receiver and Hall of Fame QB Steve Young for a toss-and-talk session as Minnesota prepared to face Chicago at Soldier Field on ESPN's Monday Night Football.
Cook earns 3rd straight Pro Bowl nod
Cook has earned his third straight Pro Bowl nod thanks to recognition from players, coaches and fans around the NFL.
He was the highest-voted NFC running back but finished fifth overall in fan voting, falling behind Jonathan Taylor (Colts), Joe Mixon (Bengals), Najee Harris (Steelers) and Nick Chubb (Browns).
Cook also continues to receive high respect from peers around the league, who again helped the running back make it to the Pro Bowl.
Through 10 games this season, Cook has totaled 978 yards and six touchdowns on 198 carries.
The 26-year-old was carted off the field at San Francisco Week 13 with a shoulder injury, but he bounced back in a major way against the Steelers just 11 days later. On Thursday Night Football, Cook racked up 205 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns.
"He's a warrior," Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said.
Asked about that, Cook shrugged and said, "Whatever a Viking is."
Cook earned his first career Pro Bowl nod following the 2019 campaign in which he recorded
1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was voted to the all-star game again following the 2020 campaign in which he notched a career-high 1,557 yards and 16 rushing scores. He also added a receiving touchdown.
Entering Monday night's game against the Bears, Cook's 4,639 career rushing yards rank fifth in franchise history.
Cook is the fifth Vikings running back with at least three Pro Bowls, joining Tommy Mason (1962-64), Bill Brown (1964-65 and 1967-68), Chuck Foreman (1973-77) and Adrian Peterson (20007-10, 2012-13 and 2015).
Smith's 6th Pro Bowl Ties Krause and Browner
Smith is an all-star for the sixth time after leading NFC safeties in fan votes. He previously participated in five in a row from 2015-19.
The 10-year pro has tied Hall of Famer Paul Krause and Joey Browner, who are both in the Vikings Ring of Honor, for the most Pro Bowl recognitions by a Vikings DB all-time.
Smith also is tied for the second-most Pro Bowl recognitions among NFL DBs since 2012 and only trails teammate Patrick Peterson, who has been to seven in that span.
Through Week 14, Smith had totaled 83 tackles (league stats), three tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, six passes defended and an interception in 11 games.
