LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – Veteran defensive specialist Damon Mason is known for making tackles, but is off to an amazing start this season in stepping in front of passes.

Mason intercepted three passes for the Austin Wranglers in their 53-34 victory over the Arizona Rattlers, and is the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA) Player of the Week.

The league's career tackles leader, Mason has five interceptions to help Austin get off to a 2-0 start. He returned his three picks against the Rattlers for 59 yards, and finished with four tackles.

Mason now has 740 1/2 tackles over a nine-year career.

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.