Falcons’ Troy Andersen named defensive player of the week

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen, who had 16 tackles and returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown in Sunday’s win over the Saints, was named the NFC defensive player of the week by the NFL on Wednesday.

Andersen, who injured his knee with 3:57 to play on special teams, made double-digit tackles in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

His pick-six was his first career touchdown, making him one of six Falcons linebackers to return an interception for a touchdown since 2000 and the first since Lorenzo Carter on Oct. 30, 2022 against Carolina.

Falcons safety Jessie Bates won the award after a Week 2 win over the Eagles.

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D. Orlando Ledbetter

D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. is the award-winning Atlanta Falcons beat writer for the newspaper and has been on the staff since 2003. D. Orlando strives to provide inside information into the Falcons and the NFL. He finds the most joy in providing insight into the team, coaching moves, offseason business moves, draft and games.

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