Eden Prairie, MN (November 11, 2015) – Minnesota Vikings DT Linval Joseph has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his performance in the Vikings 21-18 OT win over the St. Louis Rams last Sunday.
Joseph was credited with 10 tackles (7 solo), 0.5 sacks, 3 TFLs and 2 pressures in the victory. The 10 combined tackles from Joseph tied for the most by a defensive tackle in a game this season (DT John Jenkins, New Orleans). His 26 solo tackles in 2015 also currently leads the league among all defensive tackles.
The East Carolina alum becomes the first Viking defensive tackle to win the award in over a decade (last – Kevin Williams vs. Jacksonville, 11/28/04) and first Viking defender to receive the honor since LB Anthony Barr last season (at Tampa Bay, 10/26/14).
Joseph is in his second season with the Vikings after signing with the club as an unrestricted free agent in 2014.
VIKINGS DTs NAMED NFC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
1989 Keith Millard vs. Detroit, 10/8
1993 John Randle at Chicago, 10/25
1994 John Randle vs. San Francisco, 12/26
1996 John Randle vs. Green Bay, 9/22
1999 John Randle vs. Tampa Bay, 10/3
1999 John Randle vs. Detroit, 1/2/00
2004 Kevin Williams vs. Jacksonville, 11/28
2015 Linval Joseph vs. St. Louis, 11/8
