As LB Carson Schwesinger ran past a Bills' pass catcher, he saw open field and QB Josh Allen. As Allen began to scramble and leave the pocket, Schwesinger closed in and wrapped up Allen for the sack and a loss of 13 yards.
Schwesinger was officially nominated for the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 16, and is the only defensive rookie nominated for the week.
He finished Week 16 with 12 tackles, his seventh game with double-digit tackles this season and sixth consecutive. His stretch of six consecutive games with at least 10 tackles is the longest in the NFL this season.
Schwesinger added two quarterback hits with his sack. His one sack increased his season total to 2.5. Schwesinger is also leading the team with 136 tackles, the most by a Browns rookie since 1999.
"He's played outstanding for us," defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said on Dec. 18. "He has really impressed me with his toughness and his ability to play through some injuries and some pain. That shows a lot of grit, that shows a lot of toughness. And not only do the coaches appreciate that, but his teammates appreciate that also. So, coming back in a couple weeks from a high ankle – I mean, it wasn't like it was magically healed in two weeks. He had to really push through that. I've been really proud of him, and I know his teammates are too, they respect that."
Schwesinger was nominated alongside Titans QB Cam Ward, Saints QB Tyler Shough, Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty, Broncos RB RJ Harvey and Chargers RB Omarion Hampton.
Fans can vote for one of the six nominated players here and on the NFL Mobile app through Thursday at 11 a.m. ET to determine who will bring home the Rookie of the Week championship belt for Week 14.
After the regular season, six players will be nominated for NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner here throughout the month of January.
