The Los Angeles Chargers, currently vying for a spot in the AFC playoffs, will conclude their regular season schedule missing a pivotal defensive player. The National Football League declared that linebacker Denzel Perryman received a two-game suspension due to his “recurrent breaches of game regulations designed to safeguard participant well-being.”
This disciplinary action against Perryman was enacted the day after he incurred a penalty for an unnecessary roughness infraction, stemming from a helmet-to-helmet collision with Dallas Cowboys receiver Ryan Flournoy. Subsequent to securing a reception, Flournoy was situated on the turf. As Flournoy made an effort to rise, Perryman approached and executed a direct strike to Flournoy’s cranium.
Flournoy had to exit the game prematurely because of a knee ailment. He concluded his participation in the matchup — which ended in a 34-17 defeat for the Cowboys — having recorded two receptions for a total of 18 yards and one score.
Throughout his professional career, Perryman has accumulated multiple financial penalties for head-to-head impacts. During both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Perryman was levied fines amounting to $66,666 for “unauthorized helmet usage.” It is plausible that his prior disciplinary history contributed to the National Football League’s determination to sideline Perryman for the concluding two matchups of the regular season.
This season, Perryman has been a starter in ten contests for the Chargers. His yearly total of 47 combined tackles places him in a tie for the fifth-highest on the squad. Furthermore, Perryman has recorded three defended passes and four hits on the opposing quarterback during the current season.
Perryman contested the ruling, however, the league affirmed its verdict on Tuesday. Consequently, he will be permitted to return to the Chargers’ roster on January 5th, following their Week 18 encounter versus the Denver Broncos.
The Chargers are scheduled to face the Houston Texans during Week 17, and then they will conclude their season with a game against the AFC West-leading Broncos in Week 18. Denver represents one of merely two teams in the AFC that have already secured a playoff berth. Similar to the Chargers, the Texans are actively competing to clinch their position in the postseason tournament.
