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For the second year in a row, Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper will appear in the Pro Bowl.
Falcons TE Austin Hooper told me he’s headed to Pro Bowl practices tomorrow with George Kittle of the 49ers headed to the Super Bowl. Hooper was a second alternate. Would be his second Pro Bowl.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) January 20, 2020
In December, Hooper was named a Pro Bowl alternate, which essentially means if the player at your position ahead of you makes the Super Bowl or drops out, you’re in. Prior to his Week 10 MCL injury, which caused him to miss three games, Hooper was well on his way to a Pro Bowl and finishing as a top tight end.
With #49ers George Kittle making the Super Bowl, surely #Falcons Austin Hooper will be his replacement. Hooper was already named an alternate and prior to his MCL injury, had top-2 TE stats. Would be two-straight Pro Bowl appearances for him.
— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) January 20, 2020
Hooper finished the 2019 season with 75 receptions for 787 yards and 6 touchdowns. His 80.6% reception rate leads all tight ends in the NFL. The Falcons will have an interesting decision to make regarding Hooper this offseason, as he’s set to become a free agent unless a deal is reached. With a phenomenal 2019 season under his belt, and the tight end position being one of the thinnest in recent years, if Hooper hits free agency many teams will be interested in his services.
As for the 2020 Pro Bowl, wide receiver Julio Jones and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett are set to join Hooper in Orlando when the NFC and AFC face off on Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.