Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner was selected to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl, coming off another excellent season in the middle for Seattle.
However, Wagner did not commit to playing in the game this year, which will take place in Orlando on January 26.
Wagner revealed he has a health issue that he didn’t even know about, and he wants to focus on his health as priority number one now that the season is over.
““I’ll be taking care of my body,” Wagner said on Monday. “There’s a lot of stuff going on that I didn’t know about. Taking care of myself health-wise, having fun, doing the whole family thing.”
Coach Pete Carroll confirmed Wagner had a little test done, but was not sure if it would require surgery. Neither Wagner or Carroll confirmed what specifically the test was, or where Wagner is hurting.
“He found out today that there was something that he didn’t know about, we didn’t even know it was there,” Carroll said. “He had a little test done, I don’t think it is going to require surgery or anything like that. He didn’t even know he was hurt. Sometimes that happens.”
Wagner finished the 2019 season with a league-leading 159 tackles, six passes defended, three sacks and a forced fumble. He remains the best middle linebacker in the NFL, and it’s no surprise he wants to focus on his health over playing in an ultimately meaningless All-Star game.
Wagner doesn’t seem concerned about the injury, and is quite happy he gets to spend this offseason worry free after dealing with his contract extension last summer.
“That’ll be cool,” Wagner smiled. “It’s a different offseason than last year. Last year, we had to worry about the contract and things of that nature. A little bit more of a free offseason.”
