The 49ers will have five players represented at the NFC Pro Bowl on Sunday in
Smith was added to the event after the Vikings’ Kevin Williams bowed out with an injury. Smith was the second alternate. (There was no word on why Pat Williams, the first alternate, did not take his place.)
Smith, a nine-year veteran, will play in his first Pro Bowl. He joins 49ers teammates Patrick Willis, Vernon Davis, Andy Lee and Frank Gore in the all-star game.
Smith ranked tied for second on the 49ers this season with six sacks, a career-high 3.5 of which came in the 49ers’ season-ending victory over the Rams.
This is the most 49ers to be named to the Pro Bowl since six players made it following the 2002 season (Jeff Garcia, Jeremy Newberry, Terrell Owens, Julian Peterson, Ron Stone and Bryant Young).
Willis, Davis and Lee were named on the original ballot this season. Gore took the roster spot of Rams’ injured running back Steven Jackson. Special-teamer Michael Robinson was named as a second alternate, but he has not been called for duty.
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