Who won the AP Comeback Player of the Year award for the 2011 NFL season?

Matthew Stafford won the AP Comeback Player of the Year award for the 2011 NFL season.

The Detroit Lions quarterback had missed most of 2010 after a right shoulder injury, but returned in 2011 to start all 16 regular-season games. He passed for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns, becoming one of the league’s most productive quarterbacks and leading Detroit to a 10–6 record and its first playoff appearance since 1999.

Stafford received 21 votes from the Associated Press’ nationwide media panel, finishing ahead of Cleveland linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, who received 15. Other vote-getters included Alex Smith, Steve Smith, Elvis Dumervil, Andre Carter, and Eli Manning.

A common mix-up is confusing the AP award with other comeback honors presented by football organizations or publications. The question specifically refers to the Associated Press’ official NFL award, which was announced at the first NFL Honors ceremony in February 2012.