Zack Baun didn’t have any trouble with the sun at AT&T Stadium last week. The Eagles linebacker was a game-wrecker in a 34-6 win at Dallas, posting eight tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Earlier on Sunday, Bills cornerback Taron Johnson was also impressive in a 30-20 victory at Indianapolis, recording a sack and returning an interception 23 yards for a touchdown. Each defender earned his first career Player of the Week award, the league announced Wednesday afternoon.
The NFC Defensive Player of the Week, Baun spent his first four seasons with the Saints before signing as an unrestricted free agent in Philadelphia this past March. In Dallas last week, he became the first NFL player in three years (since Mike Hughes in Week 14 of the 2021 season) to record eight tackles, recover a fumble and force two fumbles in the same game.
Johnson, who earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week, became the only NFL player in 2024 to combine two passes defensed, an interception-return touchdown and a sack in the same contest. Johnson is also the first player produced by Weber State to win a weekly honor in the NFL.
Baun and Johnson are involved in two headline games on the league’s Week 11 schedule. Baun and the Eagles (7-2) have a short week, hosting the Commanders (7-3) in an NFC East showdown on Thursday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video). Then, on Sunday, Johnson and the Bills (8-2) host the Chiefs (9-0) at Highmark Stadium (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS).
For more information on the Eagles and Bills, visit the Philadelphia and Buffalo team pages at ProFootballPost.com.
Discover more from Pro Football Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.