Linebacker Brian Orakpo has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Redskins' 17-10 victory over the St. Louis Rams in Week 4.
Orakpo registered five tackles (four solo) and 2.5 sacks against the Rams. The Redskins' coaching staff also credited Orakpo with a forced fumble.
His 2.5 sacks represent the second-highest single-game sack total of his career and are the most by a Redskins player since he registered four sacks against the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 13, 2009.
The award marks the 32nd time a member of the Redskins has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week since the NFL began awarding weekly honors in 1984.
Orakpo is the team's first winner since cornerback DeAngelo Hall earned the award after a four-interception performance against the Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2010 season.
Orakpo previously won weekly honors for his four-sack performance against the Raiders in 2009. Prior to Orakpo, no Redskins linebacker had won the award since Ken Harvey following Week 13 in 1997.
Orakpo, a two-time Pro Bowler, leads the Redskins in sacks this season with 3.5. He has 23 career sacks, the fifth-most in the NFC and ninth-most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2009.
The Redskins have 15 sacks on the season, tied with Philadelphia for most in the NFL.
