Cousins, Rhodes, Kendricks, Griffen, Ham added to NFC roster, giving Vikings eight Pro Bowlers

The Vikings will have eight players in Sunday's Pro Bowl in Orlando, a result of the fallout from Sunday's NFC title game.

Four San Francisco players originally named to the team were replaced because they'll be in the Super Bowl, and injuries created two more openings for the Vikings. They'll have the second-most players in the game behind Baltimore, which has 13 players on the AFC team.

The five Vikings added Tuesday are quarterback Kirk Cousins, fullback C.J. Ham, linebacker Eric Kendricks, defensive end Everson Griffen and cornerback Xavier Rhodes.

Cousins and Kendricks are injury replacements for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner. Griffen, Ham and Rhodes are replacements for San Francisco's Nick Bosa, Kyle Juszczyk and Richard Sherman.

It's the fourth Pro Bowl for Griffen (two as alternate), third for Rhodes (one as alternate), second for Cousins (two as alternate) and first for Ham and Kendricks.

Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, safety Harrison Smith and running back Dalvin Cook were initially voted onto the NFC's roster.
Kendricks was not, despite being a first team All-Pro.

Paton, Browns still talking
Vikings assistant general manager George Paton remains a candidate for the Cleveland Browns' general manager post.

Paton met with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam over the weekend and is tentatively scheduled to talk with the team again this week.

The other two candidates interviewed were Eagles Vice President of Football Operations Andrew Berry and Patriots Director of College Scouting Monti Ossenfort.

The Browns hired Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski as their head coach Jan. 12.

Paton has been with the Vikings for 13 seasons and also has the title of vice president of player personnel. He was a finalist for the San Francisco GM job in 2017 that went to John Lynch, likely the NFL executive of the year.

Etc.
• Bosa was fined $28,075 for his blindside hit on Vikings offensive tackle Brian O'Neill in the NFC Divisional Game on Jan. 11.

• The Vikings signed receiver Bralon Addison and defensive end Stacy Keely to reserve/futures contracts. Addison, who played two games for the Bears during the 2016 season, was a CFL All-STar with 95 receptions for Hamilton last season. Keely spent the 2019 season on the Vikings practice squad.