Fooch’s update: The 49ers announced on Monday that Joe Staley has officially been added to the Pro Bowl. However, instead of replacing Super Bowl-bound Lane Johnson, he is replacing injured Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith.
The San Francisco 49ers will have a second Pro Bowler following the Philadelphia Eagles win on Sunday. Left tackle Joe Staley is expected to replace Lane Johnson on the Pro Bowl roster, according to Matt Maiocco. Johnson was voted into the starting lineup, but will be busy preparing for the Super Bowl.
This marks Staley’s sixth Pro Bowl appearance. He earned nods from 2011 to 2015, but as with most of the rest of the 49ers, was not selected last year. He joins Kyle Juszczyk as 49ers representatives at this year’s game.
The Pro Bowl is next Sunday in Orlando. Staley joins Tyron Smith and Andrew Whitworth as the offensive tackles on this year’s game. My guess is that means he likely will come off the bench next week.
Staley and the offensive line had their struggles at times, but they improved as the season moved on, and looked particularly good when Jimmy Garoppolo moved into the starting lineup.
Staley told Matt Maiocco earlier this month that he faced uncertainty earlier this season. He was sensing retirement might be closing in, but a conversation with Kyle Shanahan coupled with the team’s second half rebound got him fired back up again.
The 49ers head into the offseason with Staley just about the only sure thing on the offensive line. Trent Brown should rebound from his torn labrum, but he is also only signed for one more year. Meanwhile, Daniel Kilgore is a free agent, and the team could be looking at two new starting guards in 2018. There could be some turnover in this unit.