Cleveland Browns Middle Linebacker D"Qwell Jackson is showing the rest of the National Football League that he is back.

Jackson was named earlier this week as the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.

“It was very special, but I’ve got to take it in stride. A lot of people told me congratulations. I worked extremely hard and it’s the first step, we were able to get a win and it came at a good time,”said Jackson.

Besides being healthy for the first time in two years, Jackson says playing in the 4-3 defense is a big help.

“It’s been nothing but great things so far", said Jackson. "We have a great group of talent in front of me, great team and a great coaching staff. We have been able to get some victories and at the end of the day it’s all about getting victories. I have been here for quite a spell now and I am more ready for wins than personal accolades.”

Jackson knew early on that he would be able to be a contributor to the Browns defense this season. “It’s been all day to day. Every day you try to get better and every day you get a different feel", said Jackson. "I think it was some time in training camp where my legs felt great, my body felt great. That is one thing that I focused on in the offseason, just making sure I was healthy, putting the right things into my body to allow me to play fast throughout the course of a season.”

Cleveland Browns linebacker D’Qwell Jackson has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September, the NFL announced today.

In his first three games back after missing the previous 26 contests due to injury, Jackson amassed 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as the Browns posted a 2-1 record during the month. His 30 tackles are tied for fourth in the NFL, while his 2.5 sacks rank second among all AFC linebackers and is tied for fourth in the conference. The Browns defense has allowed just five touchdowns this season, which is tied for fourth in the league.

This is the first AFC award of Jackson’s six-year career. He is the first Brown to be selected as either AFC Defensive or Offensive Player of the Month since the award was established in 1986.