Dolphins’ Jerome Baker named AFC Defensive Player of the Month; Nik Needham still has pick-six ball and Thursday updates

Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December, the NFL announced on Thursday morning. A Dolphins player has been selected for the award 13 times, tied with the Bills and Chiefs for most among AFC teams. Baker has been a key to the Dolphins defense allowing the fewest yards per game in December.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December, the NFL announced on Thursday morning.

In Miami’s three-game stretch in the month, Baker had 16 tackles, six for loss, and 3½ sacks while the team went 3-0 as part of its seven-game winning streak it owns entering Sunday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

“I was in meetings. I was just sitting there and my phone just kept buzzing and buzzing and buzzing,” Baker said of how he found out Thursday morning. “I think Duke [Riley] reposted it, and I clicked the notification. That’s when I found out. I was definitely happy.”

Baker is the first Dolphin to win a Player of the Month award since defensive end Cameron Wake in October of 2012. A Dolphins player has been selected for the award 13 times, tied with the Bills and Chiefs for most among AFC teams.

Baker has been a key to the Dolphins defense allowing the fewest yards per game (214) in December. Mostly playing inside linebacker, he has also rotated to outside linebacker in certain matchups, giving Miami versatility in its defensive front.

On the season, Baker has 79 tackles, 8 for loss, 4½ sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and 14 quarterback hits.

Other AFC Players of the Month were Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on offense and Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson on special teams. In the NFC, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald and Atlanta Falcons punter Thomas Morstead won monthly awards. The NFL’s Rookies of the Month were Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons.

Baker is also the Dolphins’ candidate for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, which honors players for their work in the community.

The NFL also announced on Thursday that Dolphins defensive back Jason McCourty was one of eight finalists around the league for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

The award is presented each year to an NFL player who best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition, according to the league’s release.

McCourty had 21 tackles and two pass deflections in seven games this season before a foot injury cost him the rest of the season.

Needham’s pick-six ball

When Dolphins cornerback Nik Needham intercepted an Ian Book pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown on the third defensive play on Monday in New Orleans, he launched it up toward the rafters of the Superdome in celebration.

Needham could’ve easily lost the ball on his first career pick-six, which he said was the first time he ever had an interception returned for a touchdown at any level.

But no worries. The ball was actually retrieved by teammate and wide receiver Mack Hollins. Needham said Thursday that Hollins caught the ball on the way down and got it back to its rightful owner.

“I definitely have to save that one, for sure,” Needham said. “I gave my first pick to my mom and my second one to my dad, so I’ll keep this one.”

Needham said he was inundated with family and friends contacting him after the play, including people he hadn’t heard from since early on in high school.

Thursday updates

The Tennessee Titans had Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown miss Thursday’s practice with a calf injury, according to the team’s injury report.

NFL Network reported that sitting him Thursday was precautionary and that he remains on track to play against the Dolphins on Sunday.

The Titans also had offensive lineman Corey Levin miss a second consecutive practice with an illness. Outside linebacker Harold Landry (hamstring) was upgraded to a full participant on Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Cornerback Jackrabbit Jenkins (ankle) and offensive lineman Aaron Brewer (toe) remained limited Thursday.

The Dolphins had no surprise absences from the media viewing portion of Thursday’s practice. None of the six players from the active roster still on the reserve/COVID-19 list — safety Brandon Jones, wide receivers Albert Wilson and Preston Williams, defensive linemen Adam Butler and John Jenkins and guard Solomon Kindley — were not seen back at practice.

The Miami injury report remained consistent with running back Phillip Lindsay (ankle), tight end Adam Shaheen (knee) and right tackle Jesse Davis (knee) all remaining full participants.