The Los Angeles Rams are off to a 3-1 start, and linebacker Byron Young has been at the heart of the defense’s resurgence. On Thursday, the NFL announced that Young has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September — his first such honor.
Dominant Numbers Through Four Weeks
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Young’s production has been eye-catching. He led the league with 5.0 sacks in September while adding 23 tackles, seven tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. He is also one of only two players in the NFL to record at least one sack in every game during the season’s opening month.
Young’s consistency has put him in elite company. His 5.0 sacks through four weeks are tied with Carolina’s Brian Burns for the league lead.
A First Since Aaron Donald
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This marks the first time a Rams defender has won the award since Aaron Donald in December 2021, underscoring the significance of Young’s breakout. The Rams have relied on a committee approach on defense since Donald’s retirement, and Young’s emergence as a disruptive force has been central to that effort.
Momentum Heading Into Division Clash
Young’s latest impact came in Los Angeles’ 27-20 victory over the Colts in Week 4, where he notched three tackles (two solo) and a sack. That sack came early, as Young brought down Daniel Jones on just the Colts’ second offensive play.
The Rams now turn their attention to a primetime showdown with the San Francisco 49ers. With Young leading the pass rush, the defense has a difference-maker capable of tilting games — a role that has long defined Los Angeles’ best defenses.
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