EL SEGUNDO — Chargers rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still was named the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins twice on Sunday, returning one 61 yards for a third-quarter touchdown that proved to be the winning score in the Chargers’ 17-13 victory.

“Thrilled,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday. “We’re always happy for a teammate’s success. Well-deserved. The monster game that he had, it (the award) was well deserved. We like our guys to win the most awards, get the best grades, excel at sports.

“So fired up. Another virtual hug for the way Tarheeb played.”

In addition to his interceptions, his second and third of the season, Still also broke up a key third-down pass intended for Drake London, knocking the ball free from London’s hands and setting up a fourth-and-12 play at the Chargers’ 35-yard line. Derwin James Jr. then intercepted Cousins to seal the victory.

Harbaugh also praised Still for earlier chasing down Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud after trying for a pass breakup that went awry. McCloud caught Cousins’ pass and then rocketed down the sideline for a 60-yard gain before Still tackled him from behind at the Chargers’ 10-yard line.

“Somehow their receiver stayed in bounds,” Harbaugh said of McCloud. “The play was right in front of me. A lesser man could not have accomplished that. Somehow, Tarheeb got up, tracked him down and kept him out of the end zone, making that touchdown-saving tackle. So huge.

“They’re not in (the end zone) until they’re in.”

The Chargers halted the Falcons’ drive, preventing them from scoring a touchdown and forcing them to kick a field goal that made it 17-13 with three seconds left in the third quarter. The Chargers intercepted Cousins twice more in the fourth, with Marcus Maye and James ending potential scoring drives.

“Great job by Tarheeb,” Harbaugh said.

Overall, Still has been credited with eight passes defended and a one half of a sack. He is the only rookie to record a sack, multiple interceptions, an interception returned for a touchdown and five or more passes defended, according to research by the Chargers’ crack media relations team.

Still credited the coaching staff and James, as well, for his success to date.

“It’s a testament to the coaches and how they do a great job of preparing everybody,” Still said of his honor. “They make sure everybody’s prepared, next-up mentality. They feel confident about everybody who’s in the game. Huge shoutout to them, getting everybody ready to play.