Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi, Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower and Chargers P Drew Kaser named AFC Players of Week 6

Running back Jay Ajayi of the Miami Dolphins, linebacker Dont'a Hightower of the New England Patriots and punter Drew Kaser of the San Diego Chargers are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the sixth week of the 2016 season (October 13, 16-17).

Ajayi becomes the ninth Dolphins running back to be named AFC Offensive Player of the Week since the award began in 1984 and the first since Week 2 of the 2012 season when Reggie Bush was recognized for his performance against the Oakland Raiders. Other Dolphins running back to win AFC POW honors were Troy Stradford (1987, Week 11); Sammie Smith (1990, Week 1); Bernie Parmalee (1994, Week 15); Karim Abdul-Jabbar (1996, Week 1); Lamar Smith (2000, Week 1 and AFC First-Round Playoff Game); Ricky Williams (2002, Weeks 12 and 14; 2009, Week 11); Ronnie Brown (2008, Week 3); and Bush (2011, Week 15; 2012, Week 2). 

Hightower finished the game with a team-high 13 total tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, including one sack that resulted in a safety and two quarterback hits. Hightower dropped Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton in the end zone for an eight-yard sack and a safety in the third quarter. It marks his second career NFL points. Hightower returned a fumble six yards for a touchdown in his very first NFL game at Tennessee on Sept. 9, 2012. He registered a 10-tackle performance for the 14th time in his career.

Kaser was named AFC special teams player of the week, after putting four of his five punts inside the 20 in San Diego’s upset win over the Broncos. When the Chargers lost to the Raiders last week, he mishandled a potential game-tying field goal, and his holding duties were given to backup quarterback Kellen Clemens. He was off to a slow start this year, and ranks 31st in the league in gross average (41.0 yards per punt) and 27th in net (37.6).