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Esera Tuaolo started the first nine games of �96 despite rupturing his Achilles in the final regular-season game of �95. He had a sack in the fourth quarter vs. Arizona (12/1).
Despite missing four games, Derrick Alexander led this unit in tackles for a loss (7). He had a season-high 1.5 sacks in Green Bay in the regular-season finale.
Fernando Smith led this unit in fumble recoveries (2), tackles (79) and passes batted down (6). He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the Detroit game (12/8) when he recorded two sacks.
Martin Harrison started eight games, including the final seven, at right end in �96. His first NFL start came at Atlanta (9/8). In the past 22 games, he has 11 sacks.
Jason Fisk had six tackles and his first career sack in his first NFL start at Oakland (11/17). He started the final six games of �96 at nose tackle.
Duane Clemons was in on two tackles for a loss at Detroit (12/8). He recovered a fumble to set up a touchdown in Seattle (11/17). Alexander and Tuaolo played some in place of starters Harrison and Fisk at the end of the season.
Dixon Edwards played against Tampa Bay (12/15) after missing two games due to a hamstring injury. He has been to the postseason each of the past 10 years, dating back to his freshman campaign at Michigan State. He led the team in tackles for a loss (8.5) and topped this unit in sacks with a career-high 3.5, which are more sacks than his previous five NFL seasons combined (2.5). He also had 122 tackles to surpass his career-high of 109 tackles in �95.
Darryl Talley started his first game with Minnesota at Chicago (9/15).
Dave Garnett started @ Atlanta (9/8) and @ Detroit (12/8) in place of Talley and vs. Arizona (12/1) and Tampa Bay (12/15) in place of Edwards. The Falcons� start was the first of Garnett�s career.
Pete Bercich made his first NFL start in place of Edwards at Detroit (12/8).
Washington shares the team record for career touchdowns on interception returns (3). He had a career-high two interceptions vs. Carolina (10/6). He led the team in passes defensed with 19, which exceeded his previous career high of 12 in �94.
A knee injury kept Fuller out of the starting lineup at Atlanta (9/8) and Seattle (11/20). He still tied for second on the team with Thomas in passes defensed (16).
Despite missing two starts, Griffith led this unit in tackles (103), tackles for a loss (7.5) and sacks (2).
Harlon Barnett had 8 tackles and a sack, his first with Minnesota, at Detroit (12/8). He played in passing situations. He had 14 tackles and 2 passes defensed while starting in place of injured Griffith.
Alfred Jackson also played in some passing situations. He started at Atlanta (9/8) and at Seattle (11/10). He has two interceptions and a forced fumble in his four starts with the Vikings.
Chris Johnson was signed from the practice squad on November 15.
Anthony Prior, who played three seasons for the Jets, was signed December 4.
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