League: NFL Sport: Football Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Will Anderson Jr. leads NFL Defensive Player of the Year race early

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 14, 2026, 12:01 PM

Last updated Oct 14, 2026

Will Anderson Jr. leads NFL Defensive Player of the Year race early

Summary

Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is establishing himself as a leading candidate for the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award early in the 2026 season. Anderson currently leads the league with 7 ½ sacks and has recorded 12 tackles for loss. His performance includes critical plays such as three sacks against the Tennessee Titans and a blocked field goal against the Dallas Cowboys. While Anderson is making a strong case, contenders like Greg Rousseau, Jevon Holland, and Trent McDuffie are also in the mix. With over a quarter of the season gone, the race for the award will likely intensify as teams continue to battle for playoff positioning.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Anderson leads the NFL with 7 ½ sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
•He made critical plays against the Titans and Cowboys.
•Contenders include Greg Rousseau, Jevon Holland, and Trent McDuffie.
•Over a quarter of the season has passed, intensifying the award race.
•Anderson finished second in last year's voting behind Myles Garrett.

Latest Updates

12:01 PMYahoo Sports — NFL's Defensive Player of the Year? How Will Anderson Jr.'s stats compare to other top candidates

What they're saying

"
Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is making a strong case as the NFL's next Defensive Player of the Year. How his stats compare to other contenders.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts San Francisco 49ers Tennessee Titans NFL Football