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The NFL has suspended Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman two games without pay for “repeated violations of game rules intended to protect the health and safety of players” following an unnecessary roughness call in Sunday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Perryman was flagged for his hit on Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy, delivering “a forced hit to the helmet” when the receiver was already on the ground.
The NFL added that Perryman violated the rule that prohibits “using any part of the helmet or facemask to bump or make contact with an opponent’s head or neck area.”
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Denzel Perryman of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at SoFi Stadium on December 8, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Perryman, 33, is no stranger to league discipline for illegal hits on the gridiron. He had to sit out three games after being suspended in 2023 for illegal use of his helmet.
Perryman was also fined four times during his 11-year career for either improper use of his helmet or for grabbing the ball.
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Perryman plans to appeal his suspension, according to multiple reports.
The Chargers look for a playoff spot in their remaining two games, facing the Houston Texans, who are in a similar situation, in Week 17. Then the Chargers take on the Denver Broncos, who have already clinched a playoff spot, in Week 18.
Depending on how both the Broncos and Chargers fare in Week 17, their regular season finale could turn into the division title.
Chig Okonkwo of the Tennessee Titans tight ends Denzel Perryman #6 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter of a game at SoFi Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
If the season were to end today, the Chargers would have the top wild card spot in the AFC at No. 5, but that would still mean they would be headed to their first playoff game.
That’s what they did last season when they fell to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Perryman has played in 10 games for the Chargers this season, making 47 combined tackles with three passes defensed. He has been a fixture with the Chargers since being drafted by them in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Miami.
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The Chargers’ defense, led by coordinator Jesse Minter, has been a solid group all season. They are ranked third in yards allowed per game. game (283.1) as well as eighth in points allowed (20.1).
