Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman has been handed a two-game suspension without pay for what the NFL has labeled “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.” The announcement came on Monday following Perryman’s involvement in an illegal hit during the Chargers’ 34-17 victory against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
In that game, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott made a short pass to receiver Ryan Flournoy, who, upon catching the ball, slid to the ground without any contact from a Chargers player. As Perryman pursued the play, he delivered a hit to Flournoy, making helmet-to-helmet contact, which led to the unnecessary roughness penalty. This action directly contravened league rules that prohibit players from using any part of the helmet or facemask to make contact with an opponent’s head or neck area.
Perryman plans to appeal the suspension through his agent, Ron Butler. Should the suspension remain in effect after the appeal, he will miss the last two games of the regular season. This would prevent him from returning to the active roster until January 5, the Monday following the Chargers’ regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos.
There is a possibility for Perryman to be reinstated for the Chargers’ opening-round playoff game, provided the team secures a spot in the postseason. The Chargers can clinch a playoff berth if the Indianapolis Colts manage to lose or tie against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
This incident is not Perryman’s first encounter with league discipline regarding player safety. Earlier in 2023, while playing for the Houston Texans, he received a three-game suspension for similar violations, although this was later reduced to two games upon appeal. Additionally, Perryman faced hefty fines on two occasions, totaling $66,666 each time, for improper use of his helmet in hits during games against both the Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs.
As the Chargers navigate the pressure of securing a playoff position, they will be eager to see how this suspension affects their defensive strategies in the upcoming weeks.