Denzel

Perryman

Perryman was suspended for repeated violations of the playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players. The NFL dealt out his punishment given Perryman’s history of suspension due to rule safety violations, with a previous two-game suspension coming in 2023 for the same reason. The NFL has made it clear they will not tolerate repeated risky hits from players. Perryman will miss the final two games of the regular season.

This is not the first time Perryman has been suspended for multiple games. In 2023, he was also suspended for two games for repeated violations of too many hits, where he initiated contact with his helmet. The veteran linebacker can appeal his suspension, but if it is upheld, he would be sidelined for Weeks 17 and 18. Perryman has started all 10 games he’s appeared in this season, totaling 47 tackles, four TFLs, and three pass breakups.

Haskins will rotate in behind RB Kimani Vidal, who out-touched Haskins 21-7 last week. Vidal is an RB2 for the occasion, while Haskins is a touchdown-dependent FLEX. The big-bodied running back was added to the injury report with a chest injury on Friday, but practiced in full that day. The Chargers declared LT Joe Alt (ankle), RT Trey Pipkins III (knee), S Elijah Molden, LB Troy Dye, WR KeAndre Lambert Smith, EDGE Kyle Kennard and CB Nikko Reed inactive for Week 7 against the Colts. Chargers OLB Khalil Mack (elbow) and LB Denzel Perryman (ankle) will play.

The Chargers get a solid boost to the interior of their defense ahead of a showdown against the Colts in Week 7, with both linebackers making their return from injured reserve. It’s a slight downgrade to the rushing matchup for Jonathan Taylor and we could see the Los Angeles defense generate more organic pressure on quarterback Daniel jones.

Perryman had already been ruled out for Week 2’s game against the Raiders, but now the veteran linebacker will miss at least the next four weeks and be eligible to return in Week 6 against the Dolphins. Perryman was injured in the Chargers’ season-opener against the Chiefs and was initially considered week-to-week. Back linebacker Try Dye is listed behind Perryman on the depth chart and looks like the early favorite to replace him for the foreseeable future.

This was to be expected after it was revealed Perryman sustained a high-ankle sprain in the team’s Week 1 win over the Chiefs. Expect Troy Dye to step into the vacated snaps in the center of the Chargers’ defense.

Perryman is considered week-to-week with the injury, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. While we don’t know how much time the long-time vet could miss, whether or not he’s placed on injured reserve in the coming days will give us some clue as to how long the team expects his recovery to be. Perryman totaled 55 tackles and one sack with the Chargers last season, appearing in 11 games over that span. He has played in 12 or fewer games in every season dating back to 2022 and will almost certainly be facing a multi-game absence with this latest injury.

Perryman went down in the first half and was replaced by backup linebacker Troy Dye. Perryman appeared in 11 games for the Chargers last year, totaling 55 tackles and one sack. Dye has primarily played on special teams throughout his career.

Public reports indicate the district attorney chose not to file chargers stemming from a felony weapons possessions charge following a traffic stop late Friday evening. The release also states that the arrest was ruled “detention only,” meaning Perryman should not face further legal discipline. Whether or not Perryman is subject to league discipline remains to be seen, although it currently appears as if he escaped relatively unscathed.

Perryman is being held without bail at South Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station on a felony weapons charge, with a scheduled court appearance at Inglewood Court on Tuesday. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued a statement Saturday. “During the traffic stop deputies discovered five firearms in Mr. Perryman’s vehicle, two of which were assault style rifles,” the spokesperson said. “He was arrested and booked on weapons violation charges and was cooperative with deputies.” Perryman is expected to start at inside linebacker for an ascending Chargers team in the coming season, making this story one to follow in the coming weeks. The Chargers organization did not issue a statement beyond the canned “we are currently gathering more information” press release.