Injured Patriots QB Tom Brady out of Pro Bowl, Texans QB Matt Schaub takes his spot

Injured Brady out of Pro Bowl, replaced by Schaub

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady has pulled out of the Pro Bowl after a season in which he played with rib and finger injuries. He has been replaced by Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans.

The NFL announced the change of AFC backup quarterbacks Wednesday. Brady and the rest of the New England Patriots had physicals after their 33-14 opening-round playoff loss to Baltimore on Jan. 10.

Brady played in all 16 regular-season games and completed 371 of 565 passes for 4,398 yards, 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His completion percentage of 65.7 was seventh in the NFL and his passer rating of 96.2 was ninth.

In the playoff game against the Ravens, he completed 23 of 42 passes for 154 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Brady was asked about the Pro Bowl after the game and said, “We’ll have to see. We have our exit physicals tomorrow, so we’ll see what comes up.”

Schaub, named to his first Pro Bowl, completed 396 of 583 passes for 4,770 yards, all the most in the NFL. He ranked fourth with a 67.9 completion percentage and seventh with a 98.6 passer rating. He threw for 29 touchdowns, including the game-winner in Houston’s 34-27 victory over New England in the final regular-season game, and 15 interceptions

Brady was chosen for his fifth Pro Bowl but withdrew for the second straight time. He and Patriots receiver Randy Moss pulled out of the 2008 game with ankle injuries on Feb. 4, the day after the Patriots lost 17-14 to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. Brady threw an NFL record 50 touchdown passes that season.

Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, who suffered a serious knee injury in the regular-season finale at Houston, initially was replaced in this year’s Pro Bowl by Moss. Then Moss withdrew with an injury and was replaced by Chad Ochocinco of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Patriots guard Logan Mankins and nose tackle Vince Wilfork are scheduled to start in the game in Miami on Jan. 31. Safety Brandon Meriweather is a backup.