HOUSTON – Former Eastern Illinois linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill was one of two Houston Texans players selected as NFL Pro Bowl alternates with the selections being announced in late December. The other Texans selection is punter Cameron Johnston.
The Texans had no Pro Bowl selections as they will wrap up the 2021 season this Sunday hosting the Tennessee Titans. The AFC punter is the Las Vegas Raiders' A.J. Cole. The AFC linebackers are the Raiders' Denzel Perryman and the Indianapolis Colts' Darius Leonard. For Johnston or Grugier-Hill to be named to the game, it would be as an injury replacement or for any other reason.
Neither Grugier-Hill or Johnston has been named to a Pro Bowl before. This is the second time in his career Grugier-Hill has been named a Pro Bowl alternate as he was also listed in 2018 while a member of the Philadelphia Eagles
Grugier-Hill, a player the Texans would like to have back with his one-year, $3.25 million contract set to expire, was activated from the COVID-19 reserve list and has recovered well from a sprained knee that didn't require surgery. Previously with the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, Grugier-Hill has recorded a career-high and team-high 99 tackles, 12 for losses, three sacks, five quarterback hits and two forced fumbles and one interception that he returned 82 yards in a win over the Tennessee Titans.
The 2022 Pro Bowl will be played on February 6 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. If selected Grugier-Hill would become the third former Eastern Illinois player to appear in the NFL Pro Bowl joining Jeff Gossett and Tony Romo.
