Ben Roethlisberger won't play in the Pro Bowl as a pracaution, but it is not related to a larger problem with his knee.

"Ben was instructed by team doctors to avoid strenuous activity due to inflammation in his knee, thus he will not play in the Pro Bowl," agent Ryan Tollner said. "His knee will not require surgery and he looks forward to an otherwise healthy offseason to improve with his teammates."

Two days after the Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff loss, Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger might need minor surgery to clean up his knee.

With surgery not necessary, Roethlisberger will rest his knee before starting his offseason training.