In his first month in the NFL, linebacker 
Now accolades are starting to come Kerrigan's way.
Kerrigan earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors, the NFL announced on Thursday.
Kerrigan, the Redskins' first-round draft pick (16th overall) in last April's NFL Draft, started all three games in the month of September. He posted 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception in Week 1 that he returned 9 yards for a touchdown.
He also tipped a pass in Week 2 that was later intercepted by fellow linebacker
Kerrigan said on Thursday that he was "very honored" to receive the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month award.
He tried to keep it in perspective, though.
"I’d trade it for a 3-0 record any day,” he said, referring to the Redskins' 2-1 record following the disappointing 18-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
Since joining the Redskins, Kerrigan has provided steady pressure from the left side of the defense, helping open up lanes for fellow pass rusher
He believes he's still a work in progress.
“It was very evident on the film after the first week that I needed to do a better job of rushing the passer. That’s what I was brought here for — to get after the passer and do other things to help our defense succeed.
"I was able to make some adjustments from Week 1 to Week 2 and then to Week 3, so hopefully I can continue to progress.”
Kerrigan is the first Redskins rookie to be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month since 2008, when safety Chris Horton earned the honor for the month of September.
Other Redskins players to earn NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors include cornerback Fred Smoot in September 2001 and Champ Bailey in October 1999.
