Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker named AFC Defensive Player of the Month

Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December, the NFL announced connected Thursday morning.

In Miami’s three-game agelong successful the month, Baker had 16 tackles, six for loss, and 3 ½ sacks portion the squad went 3-0 arsenic portion of its seven-game winning streak it enters Sunday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans with.

Baker is the archetypal Dolphin to triumph a Player of the Month grant since antiaircraft extremity Cameron Wake successful October of 2012. A Dolphins subordinate has been selected for the grant 13 times, tied with the Bills and Chiefs for astir among AFC teams.

Baker has been a cardinal to the Dolphins defence allowing the fewest yards per crippled (214) successful December. Mostly playing wrong linebacker, helium has besides rotated to extracurricular linebacker successful definite matchups, giving Miami versatility successful its antiaircraft front.

On the season, Baker has 79 tackles, 8 for loss, 4 ½ sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and 14 backmost hits.

Other AFC Players of the Month were Chiefs backmost Patrick Mahomes connected discourtesy and Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson connected peculiar teams. In the NFC, Green Bay Packers backmost Aaron Rodgers, Los Angeles Rams antiaircraft lineman Aaron Donald and Atlanta Falcons punter Thomas Morstead won monthly awards. The NFL’s Rookies of the Month were Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons.

Baker is besides the Dolphins’ campaigner for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, which honors players for their enactment successful the community.

This communicative volition beryllium updated