EDEN PRAIRIE — Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen has been selected as a replacement to the Pro Bowl. 

He will replace injured Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.

The announcement was made Thursday. Watt has a groin injury that forced him out of Houston’s playoff game last weekend.

This is the first Pro Bowl for Griffen, who finished 12th in the NFL with 10 1/2 sacks this season. Griffen had 12 sacks in 2014, his first year as a full-time starter.

Griffen, a fourth-round draft pick from USC in 2010, also was credited with 30 quarterback hurries, four pass breakups and one forced fumble in 2015. He’s the fifth defensive end in Vikings history to make the Pro Bowl, the first since Jared Allen in 2012.