The NFL has named Houston Texans DB Tremon Smith the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance in the team's 30-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15. This marks the first Player of the Week award of his NFL career and the team's first Special Teams award since Week 15 of the 2019 campaign.
In Week 15, Smith finished with 121 kickoff return yards, one touchdown, one special teams tackle and one tackle on defense, while also downing one punt inside the 5-yard line. He took back his first return of the day 98 yards to the end zone to give his club a 14-3 first-quarter lead over the Jaguars. The 98-yard touchdown return marked a new career long and was also the first score of his four-year career. Smith was the only player in Week 15 to return a kick for a touchdown and first Texans player to do so since 2009. For the year, Smith has returned 13 kickoffs for 303 yards (29.0 avg.).
He also played a large role on the special teams coverage unit in Sunday's victory. In the fourth quarter in the midst of a one-possession game, Smith downed a punt by P Cameron Johnston on the Jacksonville 4-yard line that led to a Jaguars three-and-out and the ensuing game-sealing touchdown by the Texans' offense. He became the first player in club annals with both a special teams tackle and a kickoff return touchdown in a single game.
This marks the 50th time a Texan has been named Player of the Week in franchise history and the first time this season. It is also the 16th time Houston has won the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award in team history.
| Player | Award | Week | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tremon Smith | Special Teams | 15 | 2021 |
| Deshaun Watson | Offensive | 11 | 2020 |
| Angelo Blackson | Special Teams | 15 | 2019 |
| Deshaun Watson | Offensive | 13 | 2019 |
| Deshaun Watson | Offensive | 5 | 2019 |
| Deshaun Watson | Offensive | 3 | 2019 |
| Whitney Mercilus | Defensive | 2 | 2019 |
| Ka'imi Fairbairn | Special Teams | 15 | 2018 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 12 | 2018 |
| Jadeveon Clowney | Defensive | 4 | 2018 |
| Johnathan Joseph | Defensive | 6 | 2017 |
| Deshaun Watson | Offensive | 4 | 2017 |
| Shane Lechler | Special Teams | 8 | 2016 |
| Will Fuller V | Special Teams | 4 | 2016 |
| Whitney Mercilus | Defensive | 1 | 2016 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 17 | 2015 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 11 | 2015 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | Offensive | 6 | 2015 |
| Randy Bullock | Special Teams | 16 | 2014 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | Offensive | 13 | 2014 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 11 | 2014 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 4 | 2014 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 15 | 2012 |
| Matt Schaub | Offensive | 11 | 2012 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 3 | 2012 |
| Arian Foster | Offensive | 7 | 2011 |
| Arian Foster | Offensive | 4 | 2011 |
| Glover Quin | Defensive | 12 | 2010 |
| Matt Schaub | Offensive | 6 | 2010 |
| Andre Johnson | Offensive | 2 | 2010 |
| Arian Foster | Offensive | 1 | 2010 |
| Brian Cushing | Defensive | 8 | 2009 |
| Brian Cushing | Defensive | 6 | 2009 |
| Jacoby Jones | Special Teams | 4 | 2009 |
| Matt Schaub | Offensive | 2 | 2009 |
| Matt Schaub | Offensive | 14 | 2008 |
| Steve Slaton | Offensive | 13 | 2008 |
| Jacoby Jones | Special Teams | 8 | 2008 |
| Jacoby Jones | Special Teams | 6 | 2008 |
| André Davis | Special Teams | 14 | 2007 |
| Kris Brown | Special Teams | 5 | 2007 |
| Mario Williams | Defensive | 1 | 2007 |
| Kris Brown | Special Teams | 16 | 2006 |
| DeMeco Ryans | Defensive | 13 | 2006 |
| Andre Johnson | Offensive | 4 | 2006 |
| Jerome Mathis | Special Teams | 8 | 2005 |
| Kris Brown | Special Teams | 3 | 2004 |
| Chad Stanley | Special Teams | 9 | 2003 |
| Avion Black | Special Teams | 15 | 2002 |
| Aaron Glenn | Defensive | 14 | 2002 |
