NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was suspended for four games earlier this season, was selected one of three AFC players of the week.
Merriman was tabbed as the conference's defensive player of the week, while Tennessee quarterback Vince Young claimed the AFC offensive player of the week honor and Houston kicker Kris Brown was the special teams honoree.
Merriman missed four games beginning in October for testing positive for steroids, which he said he unknowingly took as part of a dietary supplement. Since returning to the lineup three games ago he has had seven sacks, including three last Sunday in the Chargers' 20-17 victory at Seattle.
Young, a rookie, completed 13-of-20 pass for 183 yards and two touchdowns in keeping the Titans in the playoff race with a 30-29 win over Buffalo.
Brown kicked a 48-yard field goal on the game's final play to give the Texans' a 27-24 victory over Indianapolis. He also had a 42-yard field goal. It is the fifth career special teams player of the week award for Brown.
