Falcons linebacker/defensive end Vic Beasley Jr. was named the NFC’s defensive player of the month for games played in December/January by the NFL.
Beasley, who led the league in sacks with 15.5, had six sacks and two forced fumbles over the final five games of the regular season.
In Week 13, Beasley Jr. posted his second three-sack game of his career and scored his first career touchdown in Atlanta’s 42-14 win over Los Angeles. He became the first Falcon and 10th player in NFL history with three sacks and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.
Beasley is the first Falcons linebacker to win defensive player of the month award since Jessie Tuggle won it 1991.
Beasley rushing from defensive end in nickel situations, helped to revive the team’s pass rush in 2016.
The Falcons finished with 34 sacks, which ranked them tied for 16th in the league. The Falcons had just 19 sacks in 2015, which was 32nd in the league.
“He did great,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.
Beasley left the final game against the Saints, but returned to the action.
“Once I knew he came out I was really pumped for him to say, like he knew how important it was to come and battle for his guys,” Quinn said. “He came through the game fine and it was sore, but he did a really good job.”
Quinn said the left shoulder injury suffered by Beasley on Sunday against the Saints won’t limit the Pro Bowl linebacker and won’t prevent him from practicing this week.
“He came through the game fine,” Quinn said Monday. “It was sore, but he did a really good job.”
The injury forced Beasley to leave the game in the first quarter before returning before halftime. Beasley said his shoulder popped out of place and that he believed the injury was to his labrum. Beasley played his rookie season of 2015 with a torn labrum in the opposite shoulder.
The Falcons selected Beasley out of Clemson him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 draft.
The Falcons earned a bye for the opening weekend of the playoffs. They will open postseason play on Jan. 14 at the Georgia Dome against the highest-seeded NFC team to advance from among the Seahawks, Packers and Giants.
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