FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Atlanta Falcons wide receiver/punt returner Harry Douglas was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Carolina Panthers in a Week 12 victory.
Douglas notched his first career punt return for a touchdown when he returned a kick 61 yards in the fourth quarter against the Panthers, giving the Falcons a 38-21 lead. Atlanta went on to win the game, 45-28. The return made Douglas the 10th player in Falcons history and the first since 2004 (Allen Rossum) to return a punt for a touchdown. Douglas finished the game with three punt returns for 93 yards (31.0 avg.) and his long return of 61 yards topped his previous high of 33 yards, which he set against New Orleans in Week 10.
Atlanta witnessed several other contributions from Douglas against Carolina as the rookie posted a seven-yard end around, which went for his first career touchdown in the first quarter. He led the team in receiving with four receptions for 92 yards (23.0 avg.) and totaled career-highs in offensive touches with six (two rushing, four receiving), all-purpose yards with 188 (which included three rushing, 92 receiving and 93 yards on punt returns) and a long reception of 69 yards, which he registered in the fourth quarter.
Douglas becomes the third Falcons player this season to earn conference accolades.
Running back Michael Turner was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week following performances against Detroit (Week 1) and Kansas City (Week 3) and quarterback Matt Ryan was named NFC Rookie of the Month (October) and NFC Offensive Player of the Week after a 24-0 shutout against the Oakland Raiders in Week 9.
