Eight games into 2022, Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown is one tackle short of his best showing in his first two NFL seasons.

Brown has 40 tackles this season after recording a career-high 12 in the Panthers’ 37-34 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

MORE NFL:

· SECOND ARREST MADE IN BRIAN ROBINSON JR. SHOOTING

· MAC JONES NOT AIMING TO LET PATRIOTS’ OFFENSE GO BROKE

· THURSDAY NIGHT: JALEN HURTS, EAGLES RISE TO 8-0

Brown buried his previous career high for tackles, which he established with seven just two weeks before in a 24-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

“Derrick has, in my opinion – you know, I talk about consistency – the last three weeks, he’s really played at a high level,” Carolina interim coach Steve Wilks said. “He’s been consistent. You can see his performance and his growth. I said it probably four weeks ago just that, even if in the defensive room, how great he could be as a player. And now you’re starting to see that consistency out of him. Just really dominating one-on-ones, shedding, making tackles for loss, collapsing the pocket, so I’m pleased with where he is and excited about where he can go.”

Brown tied the top tackle total for a defensive interior lineman in an NFL game this season. Indianapolis Colts nose tackle Grover Stewart made 12 tackles in a 19-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 23.

With tackle stats available since the 1999 season, Brown became the first Carolina defensive interior lineman with more than eight tackles in a game in that span.

A unanimous All-American at Auburn in 2019, Brown entered the NFL as the seventh selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team. But in his first two seasons, Brown didn’t put up the kind of numbers that he is in 2022.

In 2020, Brown made 34 tackles in 16 games. In 2021, Brown made 41 tackles in 16 games. In 2022, Brown has 40 tackles in eight games.

Brown ranks second in tackles in the NFL among defensive interior linemen, behind Stewart, who has 43.

Brown is reeling in the Carolina season record for tackles by a defensive tackle. Kawaan Short had 55 tackles for the Panthers in back-to-back seasons – 2015 and 2016.

Brown also has excelled at knocking down passes this season. He has broken up six passes, tied with Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Zach Allen for the most among the NFL’s defensive linemen.

Brown intercepted a pass, too, picking off a deflected throw by New Orleans quarterback Jameis Winston in Carolina’s 22-14 victory over the Saints on Sept. 25.

Brown ranks among the 37 NFL players who have an interception and a sack this season. Seventeen of those players also have made at least 40 tackles, including Brown. But only three have broken up at least six passes, too – Brown, Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga.

The Panthers square off against the Cincinnati Bengals at noon CST Sunday at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Carolina has a 2-6 record. The Bengals own a 4-4 mark.

RELATED: NFL WEEK 9 SCHEDULE, TV AND ODDS

On Friday, Brown was revealed as the Panthers’ nominee for the NFL’s 2022 Salute to Service Award, which recognizes league players, coaches, staff and alumni for commitment to supporting the military and veterans.

Brown received recognition for his work with the USO of North Carolina, the Wounded Warrior Project, meal services for veterans facing food insecurity and morale-boosting events for military personnel in North Carolina and South Carolina.

“We put in a lot of hard work and dedication on the field, but at the end of the day, we aren’t on the front lines,” said Brown, who is the son of a U.S. Army veteran. “We thank these men and women and everyone else who’s served. Salute to Service for me is a time to recognize men and women serving right now, going overseas and keeping us safe at home. This is our time to recognize and honor them.”

Each team has one nominee for the award. Fans can vote online through Nov. 30 to determine the three finalists for this year’s honor, with an appointed panel then choosing the award winner.

USAA, the presenting sponsor of the award, will contribute $25,000 in the winner’s name to aid societies representing the U.S. military branches, and the NFL will contribute $25,000 to the winner’s military and/or veterans charity of choice.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.