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ENGLEWOOD, Colo.** – After turning in 3.5 sacks and a league-leading 11 quarterback hits through the first three games of 2015, outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month.

The conference defensive player of the month recognition is the first in Ware's 11 seasons and the 10th monthly accolade in Broncos history since the award was initiated in 1986.

An essential cog in the Broncos defense, Ware has helped lead the NFL's No.1-ranked defense (259.0 ypg) in September as he tied for first in the AFC and ranked second in the NFL with 3.5 sacks.

Ware is the only player in the league to post a sack in each game this season, pushing him past Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ricky Jackson for 13th place on the NFL's all-time list (130.5 career sacks).

The Auburn, Alabama, native also paced the league with 11 quarterback hits in September—three more than any other player—and added 10 tackles.

ALL-TIME DENVER BRONCOS AFC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH RECIPIENTS

Year

Player

Month

Statistics

1986

DE Rulon Jones

October

(8.5 sacks, -142 yds., 33 tackles)

1989

LB Karl Mecklenburg

November

(4.5 sacks, -40 yds., 18 tackles)

1989

S Dennis Smith

October

(2 INTs, 22 tackles, 2 FF, 1 FR)

1991

LB Simon Fletcher

December

(5 sacks, -39 yds., 15 tackles)

2001

CB Deltha O'Neal

October

(6 INTs, 17 tackles)

2005

CB Champ Bailey

November

(3 INTs, 1 TD on INT return, 20 tackles, 5 PBUs)

2006

CB Champ Bailey

October

(3 INTs, 21 tackles, 9 PBUs)

2012

LB Von MIller

November

(8 sacks, -54 yds., 20 tackles, 3 FF)

2014

LB Von Miller

October

(7 sacks, -48.5 yds., 14 tackles, 1 PD)

2015

OLB DeMarcus Ware

September

(3.5 sacks, -22.5 yds., 10 tackles)