49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

San Francisco 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a standout Week 12 performance against the Carolina Panthers. Brown delivered one of the strongest games of his NFL career, finishing with five tackles and two passes defensed.

His night was highlighted by two pivotal interceptions, both of which played a major role in the 49ers' 20-9 victory. One of the picks came in the end zone with the Panthers threatening to score.

This marks Brown's first-career Defensive Player of the Week honor and the first by a 49ers safety since Antoine Bethea earned the award in Week 4 of the 2014 season.

"San Francisco's injury-ravaged defense keeps finding a way," NFL Media contributor Bobby Kownack wrote. "On Monday night against the Carolina Panthers, it was Brown's turn to step up. He saved the 49ers both early and late with interceptions, keeping the game in hand despite some offensive struggles for Kyle Shanahan's crew.

"Brown's first INT came on first-and-goal from the 1-yard line, plucking early points away from the Panthers. His second pick came as Carolina was driving with 6:33 left in the final frame to potentially make it a one-possession game. Both were crucial to keep San Francisco right in the thick of the NFC playoff picture."

Head coach Kyle Shanahan praised Brown's breakout performance, calling it the young defensive back's best game yet.

"He was awesome," Shanahan said. "We'll see more on the tape, but it felt like it was his best game as a Niner. Think he's been playing at a high level here for a while, but those two picks were huge and looked like he made a number of good tackles too."

Brown became the fourth safety this season—joining Calen Bullock, Kevin Byard, and Kam Curl—to record at least five tackles and two interceptions in a game. He is also the only NFL player this year to produce two interceptions on plays starting within 35 yards of his own end zone.

Now in his third NFL season, Brown has recorded 48 tackles (one for loss), two interceptions, and five passes defensed across 12 games, including eight starts. The 49ers selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Penn State, and his emergence as a key playmaker for San Francisco's injury-depleted defense could help the team reach the playoffs.

Brown is the second former Penn State safety to win Defensive Player of the Week honors, joining Mark Robinson (Week 4, 1990).