Alternate facts: Carr and Staley heading to Orlando

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has been named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl, the team announced Monday.

Carr, who had been chosen as an alternate for Sunday’s game in Orlando, is replacing Tom Brady on the AFC roster. Brady and the Patriots will play the Eagles the following Sunday in the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, left tackle Joe Staley will join fullback Kyle Juszczyk as the 49ers’ representatives.

Staley was named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate. He will replace Dallas’ Tyron Smith, who is not playing because of an injury. There is also an opening on the NFC team because Philadelphia tackle Lane Johnson will miss the all-star game with the Eagles headed to the Super Bowl.

Carr posted a statement on his Twitter page that read, in part: “Fans… it was not the year we wanted, but to still be recognized by you, #RaiderNation, fans everywhere, and the players and coaches you go against as one of these players is an extremely high honor that I will always be thankful for!”

The selection comes despite a difficult season for Carr and the Raiders. Carr recorded his fewest passing yards (3,496) and lowest quarterback rating (86.4) since his rookie season and tied his career high of 13 interceptions while throwing for 22 touchdowns. He suffered a transverse process fracture in his lower back Oct. 1 and missed just one game before returning.

He is the third Raiders quarterback to be selected to at least three Pro Bowls. Ken Stabler and Rich Gannon were each named to four.

Defensive end Khalil Mack and offensive linemen Rodney Hudson, Donald Penn and Kelechi Osemele were also named to the AFC team, giving the Raiders one fewer Pro Bowl selection (five) than they had wins in 2017.

Staley will make his sixth Pro Bowl appearance, and first as an alternate. He is one of 11 players in franchise history to be selected to five straight Pro Bowls (2011-15) and one of two offensive linemen with such a streak (Guy McIntyre).

The 49ers parted with franchise fixtures such as NaVorro Bowman and Ahmad Brooks last year, but Staley, 33, the team’s longest-tenured member, appears primed to stay in Santa Clara for at least the final two years of his contract.

Not only is he still playing at a high level, he also has a below-market contract that is scheduled to pay him base salaries of $4.8 million in each of the next two seasons.