Green Bay Packers WR Jordy Nelson named Comeback Player of Year

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who rebounded from a season-ending knee injury suffered in the 2015 preseason to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns this season, was selected as the 2016 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, chosen in voting conducted by the Professional Football Writers of America.

In addition, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley, who led the NFL in sacks, was selected as the 2016 NFL Most Improved Player of the Year, the PFWA announced Friday.

Nelson spent the entire 2015 season on injured reserve after sustaining a knee injury as he made an 8-yard catch on the Packers' opening drive in a preseason game at Pittsburgh on Aug. 23.

Nelson returned for the 2016 season and started all 16 games as he caught 97 passes for 1,257 yards and a NFL-leading 14 touchdowns. He also was fifth in the NFL in receptions and sixth in receiving yards. He tied for fourth with five 100-yard receiving games and became only the second player in Green Bay history to have two seasons with 95 or more receptions. Nelson had a touchdown reception in 11 games, which tied for the most in a single season in club history, and his three multi-receiving TD games was tied for the most in the NFL in 2016.

Nelson is the second member of the Packers to receive Comeback Player of the Year honors, joining wide receiver Robert Brooks (1997).

Nelson hasn't played since suffering cracked ribs on his left side in the wild-card playoff win over the New York Giants on Jan. 8 and his status still remains in the air for the NFC Championship Game against the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday.

In 2015 as rookie, Beasley started all 16 games and had four sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, two passes defensed and 27 total tackles. This season, he led the NFL with 15.5 sacks to go along with 15 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and 39 tackles. He took PFWA All-NFL and All-NFC honors at outside linebacker.

Beasley posted two or more sacks in four games, including 3.5 at Denver in Week 5. He became the 10th player in NFL history to post at least three sacks and return a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the same game at Los Angeles in Week 14. He was the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December after making six sacks and two forced fumbles.

Beasley is the first member of the Falcons to receive Most Improved Player of the Year honors.