The Colts could be 3-0, if their defense hadn’t let them down in Week One against the Texans. But one of their defenders was able to overcome that performance and win the AFC defensive player of the month award for September.
Mathis racked up four sacks in three games, getting at least one in each of the three September games.
It’s the second time in three NFL months that Mathis has won the award; he received the honor in November 2009.
The performance comes after an offseason of discontent for Mathis, during which he skipped a mandatory minicamp in a failed effort to get a new contract.
Mathis remains signed through 2011, at base salaries of $2.31 million this year and $2.41 million next year.
By next year, Peyton Manning could be getting that much per game.