Pat Surtain thinks Pro Bowl has changed for the better

The NFL’s Pro Bowl format “has changed for the better,” Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain said ahead of the flag football game.

As Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain prepares for his third straight Pro Bowl appearance, he reflected on how pro football’s all-star affair has changed for the better.

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it,” Surtain said in an interview promoting Tide evo with Broncos Wire’s Brandon Walker. “I think the flag football adds a little bit more fun to it, as they got their own set of rules to it. (It) allows the fans to be involved as well too, and I just think the whole platform and the whole environment of the Pro Bowl has changed for the better, so obviously a cool experience.”

Surtain spoke with Broncos Wire to promote Tide evo, which is currently only available in Colorado. The cornerback proved to be a perfect spokesperson for the laundry detergent.

“We just started this promotion, and we are promoting this new product called Tide evo detergent … and all you gotta do is dump it in the washer and watch as it cleans up your clothes and the magic happens,” Surtain said. “It’s as simple as that.”

The company says the new product is a type of Tide that is a category of clean that leverages tens of thousands of minuscule fibers, creating layers of soap without unnecessary liquid and fillers.

“It’s only selling in Colorado right now, and we’re trying to promote this product to branch it out all over the place, so it’s a good product to use,” Surtain said. “It’s a very good product and you can use it whenever. I’ll just say to all my Colorado folks out here to go ahead and get you some Tide evo. It’s as simple as that for your use, and is a good product to use for sure.”

The 2025 Pro Bowl marks just the third year where flag football has been the focus for the NFL’s all-star game. Peyton Manning and Eli Manning will coach the AFC and NFC teams, respectively.

Since this is the NFL’s star-studded, all-star affair, Surtain also spoke about some of the best wide receivers in the game today.

“It’s a good amount of them,” Surtain said. “I say (Bengals wide receiver) Ja’Marr (Chase); he had a good year, obviously (with the) triple crown. You know you got guys like (Vikings receiver) Justin Jefferson, of course (Dolphins receiver) Tyreek Hill, who’s done it consistently, and CeeDee Lamb, I think those guys have done it; Davante Adams. Those are the guys that I would consider the top of the game right now.”

Surtain will be joined by Broncos returner Marvin Mims and pass rusher Nik Bonitto at the Pro Bowl Games this year. The Pro Bowl’s skills challenges and flag football game will be televised from 3-6 p.m. ET (1-4 p.m. MT) on ESPN and ABC on Sunday, Feb. 2.

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Oklahoma Sooners lead the way with 5 NFL All-Pro selections

Oklahoma Sooners lead the way in number of NFL All-Pro selections.

The Oklahoma Sooners may not have had a lot of success at the collegiate level in 2024, but Sooners in the NFL are thriving this year. On Friday, the NFL’s All-Pro teams were announced, which featured five former Oklahoma Sooners.

Center [autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag] and return man [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] were voted to the first team. Wide receiver [autotag]CeeDee Lamb[/autotag], offensive tackle [autotag]Lane Johnson[/autotag], and edge rusher [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag] were named to the second team.

This was Humphrey’s second All-Pro selection in his four years in the NFL and Mims first honor. Lamb was selected for the third year in a row after another 100-catch season for the Dallas Cowboys. This is Johnson’s fifth All-Pro selection and fourth in a row.

Bonitto, the lone Sooner selected to the defensive squad, had a breakout season with 13.5 sacks for the playoff-bound Denver Broncos.

The Sooners had the most All-Pro selections of any university this season.

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Cowboys have 1 first-team AP All-Pro in 2024, 2 second-teamers

The Associated Press has revealed its All-Pro Team for 2024, and Cowboys fans will notice the same kind of dropoff from 2023 that they saw on the actual field all season long. After putting a league-high nine players on the first and second teams …

The Associated Press has revealed its All-Pro Team for 2024, and Cowboys fans will notice the same kind of dropoff from 2023 that they saw on the actual field all season long.

After putting a league-high nine players on the first and second teams last year, Dallas has just one first-teamer and two second-team All-Pros after their disappointing 7-10 campaign.

The Associated Press began naming All-Pro Teams in 1940, with the best players at each position selected by a national panel of AP media members. There is no AFC-versus-NFC designation, with players from both conferences making up both the first-team (top vote-getters) and the second-team (runners-up) rosters.

Cowboys kick returner KaVontae Turpin was the only Cowboys player to make the AP’s first team this season. He led the league in kick return yards in 2024 and was named to the Pro Bowl. This is his first All-Pro Selection.

The second team features CeeDee Lamb as one of the three wide receivers, along with Washington’s Terry McLaurin and Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown. (Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Amon-Ra St. Brown make up the first-team WR corps.) Lamb was seventh in the league in both targets and receptions and ninth in receiving yards, despite missing the final two games of the season. Lamb was a first-team All-Pro last year and a second-teamer previously in 2022.

Also on the second team for 2024 is kicker Brandon Aubrey. (Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell took first-team honors.) Aubrey had a league-high 47 field goal attempts this season, and his 41 field goals made were just one behind the leader, Boswell. Aubrey’s 65-yarder was the longest three-pointer made across the NFL this season and the second-longest kick conversion of all time. Aubrey was the AP’s first-team kicker last season in his rookie campaign.

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Zack Martin and DaRon Bland were named first-team All-Pros in 2023. Dak Prescott, Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Micah Parsons, and Bryan Anger received second-team honors a season ago. All were passed over entirely in 2024.

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From ‘grow up’ to show up: CeeDee Lamb’s masterclass in accountability, growth for Cowboys

There wasn’t much room for on-field improvement for the All-Pro receiver, so he stepped things up in a different way. | From @BtchesLuvSports

Not every season can be a fairy tale, but even in a dumpster fire, one can find a spark. The Dallas Cowboys’ offense spent much of 2024 searching for its identity, and in that chaos emerged one of the season’s most compelling character arcs: CeeDee Lamb.

Friction breeds growth, and Lamb’s evolution mirrored the team’s struggles. Two headlines bookend his journey. On February 11, the aftermath of the Cowboys’ playoff debacle led to his blunt self-assessment, “I need to grow up!” By December 16, the narrative had flipped into  Lamb showing his prowess as one of the team’s leaders.

Last season, after the Dallas Cowboys crashed out of the playoffs in a humiliating loss to the Green Bay Packers, the blame game went full throttle. Fans and analysts alike dissected every failure like it was a scene from Inception.

But Lamb? He flipped the script, literally pointing the finger at himself—steak and potatoes in hand—on a special Super Bowl week episode of The Edge, Micah Parsons’ podcast. Asked how he could help Dak Prescott lead the team, CeeDee owned up, saying he needed to mature.

“I could be more of a leader,” he said, “I could be more vocal even though that’s not me, but understanding the situation, if I’m going to take this label of being [WR1], I take full accountability.”

That wasn’t just talk.

Fast forward 10 months and Lamb’s identity as a leader has been recognized by coaches and fans alike. Things could’ve gone in a different direction, especially after sitting out all offseason before agreement to the second-largest WR contract in NFL history.

The shift wasn’t automatic, though. Early in the season, an emotional sideline moment garnered criticism of immaturity and selfishness. But by the season’s end, Lamb had shut them all up. His actions—playing through a nagging sprained AC joint, commanding respect from teammates, and dominating on the field—spoke louder than any headline.

Following the loss of quarterback Dak Prescott early in the season, Lamb’s growth was put on display over and over again. An offense used to soaring struggled immensely in 2024, but Lamb grew into leading by example.

He’s checked every box: versatility, toughness, and even delivered a solid hit or two when needed. With leadership now added to his arsenal, the only question is: what can’t he do? Whatever it is, bet on Lamb figuring it out.

6 former Oklahoma Sooners named to NFL Pro Bowl rosters, Baker Mayfield snubbed

Six former Oklahoma Sooners named to NFL Pro Bowl rosters with one major snub.

The NFL released Pro Bowl rosters for the 2024 season on Thursday, and six former Sooners will be featured in the annual All-Star event.

Joe Mixon, CeeDee Lamb, Marvin Mims, Lane Johnson, Creed Humphrey and Nic Bonitto were named to the Pro Bowl rosters.

[autotag]Joe Mixon[/autotag] has run for 995 yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 games for the Houston Texans. He has seven 100-yard games this season and has been a focal point for the Texans offense. It’s Mixon’s second Pro Bowl selection and first since 2021.

[autotag]CeeDee Lamb[/autotag] had another big year for the Dallas Cowboys. In 15 games, Lamb recorded 101 receptions for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns while working with backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Lamb will miss the rest of the season after suffering a shoulder injury. It’s the fourth straight Pro Bowl selection for Lamb, who has become one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in his five year career.

[autotag]Lane Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag] are two of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.

Johnson has been an anchor for the Philadelphia Eagles for more than a decade and is arguably the best right tackle in the league. The Eagles are 13-3 and clinched the NFC East division title despite the loss of Jalen Hurts to injury earlier in the year. Johnson has earned six Pro Bowl selections in his career, all coming in the last eight seasons.

Humphrey has been a cornerstone piece for the Kansas City Chiefs since entering the league. The Chiefs lead the NFL with a 15-1 record and have a great shot to three-peat as Super Bowl champions. It’s Humphrey’s third consecutive Pro Bowl selection.

[autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag] is having a breakout season in 2024. He’s tied for fourth in the NFL with 11 1/2 sacks and has recorded 22 quarterback hits, 45 total tackles and 14 tackles for loss. He has an interception and fumble return for touchdowns this season.

[autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] has become one of the most dynamic returnmen in the NFL for the Denver Broncos. He leads the NFL with 408 punt return yards and in yards per punt return at 15.7. He’s also having a big year as a receiver. He’s recorded 34 catches on 47 targets for 452 yards and four touchdowns. Mims has been selected to the Pro Bowl as a returner in each of his two season in the NFL.

One name was notably absent from the list. Quarterback [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] is having a great season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At quarterback, the NFC will be represented instead by rookie of the year candidate Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders, Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings and Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions.

Mayfield is having a career year for the Bucs, setting personal bests in passing yards and touchdowns. Mayfield is third in the NFL in passing yards and second in the league in touchdowns.

Even with Mayfield’s snub, it’s a good showing for Oklahoma football alumni.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Commanders vs. Cowboys injury report: Latest updates, news for Wednesday

Several Commanders miss Wednesday’s practice ahead of Week 18.

The Washington Commanders were back on the practice field Wednesday, preparing for the regular-season finale on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Unsurprisingly, several Commanders didn’t participate on the first day of practice this week.

Washington is coming off a physical overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football. Two of Washington’s starting offensive linemen from the game, center Tyler Biadasz (ankle) and right tackle Cornelius Lucas (groin), left with injuries. Lucas was starting in place of Andrew Wylie (groin).

No surprise, each of the three offensive linemen missed Wednesday’s practice. In good news, running back Austin Ekeler’s 21-day practice window opened, and he fully participated. Ekeler spent the past four weeks on injured reserve due to a concussion.

Here’s the Commanders’ full injury report from Wednesday:

Did not participate: C Tyler Biadasz (ankle), T Andrew Wylie (groin), T Cornelius Lucas (groin), DT Jonathan Allen (NIR-rest), TE Zach Ertz (NIR-rest), WR Dyami Brown (hamstring), WR Jamison Crowder (NIR-rest), WR Terry McLaurin (ankle, NIR-rest), DE Clelin Ferrell (knee, NIR-rest), OLB Dante Fowler Jr. (NIR-rest). CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), S Tyler Owens (ankle)

Limited participant: LB Jordan Magee (hamstring)

Full participant: RB Austin Ekeler (concussion)

Last week, the Cowboys shut down star receiver CeeDee Lamb, so Washington will not have to deal with him.

Here’s Dallas’ full injury report from Wednesday.

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 24-7 lead over the Cowboys

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 24-7 lead over the Cowboys

It was another disastrous first quarter, but the Eagles’ defense found their footing, and Kenny Pickett discovered a connection with DeVonta Smith. Buoyed by two C.J. Gardner-Johnson interceptions, Philadelphia found their rhythm and held a 24-7 lead over the Cowboys in the first half.

An Eagles win Locks up the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the conference while allowing Jalen Hurts another week to recover from his concussion.

With the second half set to begin, here are ten takeaways from the first half.

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Is CeeDee Lamb playing today? Injury news update for Cowboys wide receiver

Here’s the latest status for the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb for Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Dallas Cowboys return to action on Sunday, having improved to 7-8 with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Week 17 holds no promise, though, as Dallas was eliminated from the playoff race before they even took the field last week.

As such, the paradigm had shifted on the goal over the final two games of the season. When the schedule was created, most observers envisioned this matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles would be for the NFC East lead. Instead the Cowboys are looking up to both Philly and Washington, with no chance to catch either.

And finally having to admit defeat on the season, the questions about injured players toughing it out have to be reconsidered, including No. 1 receiver, CeeDee Lamb.

Lamb’s shoulder injury has impacted his availability since he suffered it against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. With Dallas now playing out the string, the team has decided to shut him down and move him to the Reserved/Injured list.

His season ends with 101 receptions for 1,194 yards and six scores. This moves Brandin Cooks to the top tier among Cowboys receivers and will likely give rookie Ryan Flournoy and young veteran Jonathan Mingo more opportunities.

In between those two levels sits Kavontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert.

Final Cowboys-Eagles injury report for Week 17: Cornerbacks ruled out vs Hurts-less Philly attack

The Cowboys’ secondary issues continue to spiral, but they could catch a break as the Eagles’ attack will be missing one of it’s star rushers. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles will finalize their 2024 season series on Sunday. The two teams have jockeyed the division title between themselves for most of the last decade, with this year’s advantage going to Philadelphia. The NFC East hasn’t had a repeat winner since 2004, and that trend continues with the Cowboys having a lackluster year.

Things were bad for Dallas before the injuries started piling up, but once they did it was an avalanche. Surprisingly, the team has righted the ship in the last half of the year, winning four of their last five despite not having their top talent, such as QB Dak Prescott. Now, with the playoffs drawing near, the Eagles will start a QB other than Jalen Hurts for the first time in 2024, as he’s been ruled out of the contest due to a concussion suffered last week.

Both teams have ruled three players out, and for the Cowboys that includes their top target, WR CeeDee Lamb, who will shut it down for the year due to his shoulder injury.

The Cowboys, who have had some of the worst injury luck at the corner position in recent memory, once again suffered a tough week at the position. Amani Oruwariye, who is starting in place of Trevon Diggs (IR – knee), will be out, as will backup Kemon Hall.

Perhaps they will not get burned, but that depends on the attack of Eagles’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Without Hurts’ rushing threat, Moore will have spent the week of practice changing the offensive plan to be more traditional with Kenny Pickett under center. Prepping for both Hurts and Saquon Barkley in the run game has proven difficult for opposing defensive coordinators, but Mike Zimmer will only have one to deal with on Sunday.

Here’s a rundown of the final injury report, with game statuses, for Week 17.

Dallas Cowboys

OUT

WR CeeDee Lamb, Shoulder
CB Amani Oruwariye, Foot
CB Kemon Hall, Hamstring

DOUBTFUL

OG TJ Bass, Thigh

QUESTIONABLE

WR Jalen Brooks, Knee
OT Chuma Edoga, Toe
Safety Donovan Wilson, Knee
OT Asim Richards, Ankle
WR Jalen Tolbert, Finger
LB Nick Vigil, Foot
LB Eric Kendricks, Calf

NO DESIGNATION

CB Jourdan Lewis, Elbow
DT Mazi Smith, Back
Safety Juanyeh Thomas, Knee
OT Mat Waletzko, Knee

Philadelphia Eagles

OUT

QB Jalen Hurts, Concussion
RB Will Shipley, Concussion
WR Britan Covey, Neck

DOUBTFUL

LB Nakobe Dean, Abdomen

QUESTIONABLE

DE Bryce Huff, Wrist

NO DESIGNATION

QB Kenny Pickett, Ribs
LB Josh Sweat, Ankle
WR A.J. Brown, Knee

Opinion: Saints should sit Chris Olave for the remainder of the season

Chris Olave has returned as a full participant at practice, but he shouldn’t play another game for the Saints this season. His long-term health is more important:

The Dallas Cowboys shut down CeeDee Lamb for the final weeks of the season due to a shoulder injury, and if they’re smart, the New Orleans Saints should take a page out of their book and shut down their top receiver, too. Dallas is out of playoff contention, just like New Orleans, but Chris Olave is practicing unlike Lamb.

Olave was projected as a full participant on Wednesday’s injury report. That was Christmas Day, so there was no practice which meant it was the expectation from the team medical staff. The projection was accurate, and Olave was a full participant when the Saints stepped out for Thursday’s practice. Olave remains on injured reserve.

New Orleans opened Olave’s return window last week, and he began practicing. This feels like the progression to returning to the field. If it isn’t, then it brings up one question. What’s the point of him practicing?

Is this supposed to be a sign of his progress? Darren Rizzi telling media Olave was good enough to play would have sufficed. But there’s something to be said for letting him run routes at practice and get his legs back under him before the season ends. That beats watching his teammates work from the sideline.

Olave suffered two concussions this season, and this is becoming a repeated occurrence for the young player. The last concussion was a scary one. This is a situation that has to be treated delicately.

New Orleans doesn’t have anything to play for as a team, and he’s in a much more comfortable place than other young players. This feels like a time to sit Olave down even if he’s pushing to play.

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