The accolades continue to stack up for LB Carson Schwesinger, as he was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for November.
Schwesinger led all NFL rookies with 39 tackles and six tackles for loss for the month despite the Browns only playing four games. He was the only NFL rookie to record at least one tackle for loss in each game in November.
Schwesinger added one interception and half of a sack and was the only rookie to record an interception and at least half of a sack in November. He recorded double-digit tackles in three consecutive games in November, the most by any NFL rookie this month. This season, Schwesinger leads all NFL rookies with 99 tackles and 10 tackles for loss and is tied for second with two interceptions.
During Week 11 against the Ravens on Nov. 16, Schwesinger he recorded his second interception of the season and led the Browns with 10 tackles. He also added two tackles for loss and one pass defensed in Week 11. He was later named NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 11.
"To come in here, stay focused, build his body, come back from what he came back from after the bye week and get in there and make all those tackles, I mean, it's very impressive," linebackers coach Jason Tarver said on Nov. 21. "But it's taking advantage of the opportunity. I'm proud of him for that."
Schwesinger joins CB Joe Haden (November 2010) as the only Browns to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month since the award began in 1996.
Schwesinger has continued to stand out as a key player for the Browns' defense, not only with his ability to record key tackles and tackles for loss, but also to lead the defense with the responsibilities of the green dot. This season, Schwesinger leads the Browns with 99 tackles, the third-most by a Browns rookie since 1999. He has recorded double-digit tackles in four games this season.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz paid Schwesinger a compliment on Nov. 20 for his level of play in his rookie season, as Schwartz reflected on his time in the league with Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.
"The command that Carson has now in a lot of respects took Ray's third year in the league," Schwartz said. "It's a very difficult position and he's been right in the middle of it, and it's been fun to watch because not only does he do all that stuff well, but he has great command. He's a great leader for us. He's our play caller, very rarely makes a mistake. When he does make a mistake, it doesn't repeat and he's very productive on the field. […] So really proud of his development."
