COSTA MESA (CNS) - The Los Angeles Chargers will be represented by six players and their coaching staff at today's Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
Rookie free safety Derwin James was selected to start for the AFC in the NFL's all-star game. The other Chargers in the Pro Bowl are receiver Keenan Allen, running back Melvin Gordon, defensive end Melvin Ingram, center Mike Pouncey and Adrian Phillips, a safety chosen as a special teams player.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was also chosen for the Pro Bowl but withdrew because of an ankle injury.
Pouncey was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the fourth time, Allen and Gordon both for the second time and James and Philips for the first. Ingram played in the 2018 Pro Bowl after being selected as an alternate.
The Pro Bowl selections are determined by a combination of voting by fans, players and coaches, with each counting one-third for the selections.
Coach Anthony Lynn and his staff will coach the AFC team because the Chargers had the better record among the two AFC teams that lost in the divisional round of the playoffs. The NFC team will be coached by Jason Garrett and his staff because the Dallas Cowboys had the better record among the two NFC teams that lost in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Four Los Angeles Rams were selected to play in the Pro Bowl -- defensive tackle Aaron Donald, quarterback Jared Goff, running back Todd Gurley and linebacker Cory Littleton -- but won't be playing because the Rams won the NFC championship and will be playing in Super Bowl LIII next Sunday.