CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week Wednesday.
Vernon put on a monster performance in Sunday's 22-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles that saw him rack up three sacks, a safety, five tackles and a pass defensed.
“I think that is outstanding. I am happy for OV,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “We mentioned, people have to step up. He stepped up, and I am counting on him this week to do the same. I think he understands that it does not matter where he is rushing, how he is rushing and how he is playing the run, we need him out there, and we need him to make plays. That is what he did in this last ball game.”
Vernon is the first player since 2014 to record three sacks and a safety in a game and the first to do it in franchise history. His three sacks also tied a career high and were the most in a game since Myles Garrett had three against the New York Jets in Week 2 of the 2019 season.
This is the third Player of the Week honor for Vernon in his career and it is the third for the Browns this season.
Myles Garrett was named Player of the Week in Week 4 and Baker Mayfield earned the honor in Week 7.