Chargers LB Denzel Perryman
Getty
Chargers LB Denzel Perryman
I
t is only two weeks into the season and the Los Angeles Chargers are already banged up. Heading into their week two matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chargers will be without one of their most important players. On Monday afternoon, the team announced that they were placing linebacker Denzel Perryman on the injured reserve list– meaning that he will miss the next four games at a minimum.
Exiting the Chargers’ week one victory over the Kansas City Chiefs early with an ankle injury, Perryman’s status was quickly in doubt for week two, with the former 2015 draft pick missing every practice leading up to the game. Now, Perryman will be shelved for at least a quarter of the season and the Chargers can promote another player to take his roster spot.
Chargers Without Perryman
With Perryman injured, the Chargers will rely on sixth-year veteran Troy Dye to fill his void. Only having 13 career starts, Dye has never been a full-time starter on defense but has shown that he can a star, finishing with 57 total tackles as a reserve linebacker last season. In the week one win over the Chiefs, Dye played in 40 defensive snaps and made five total tackles.
A hard hitter and known for his high energy and intensity, Dye gets his chance to really prove his worth after signing a two-year extension this offseason. The Raiders, a team that invested heavily in revamping their offense, figure to be a tough test for the Chargers defense this week.
Perryman’s Time with the Chargers
Spending the first six seasons of his career with the Chargers before leaving the franchise in 2021 free agency, Perryman rejoined the Chargers last offseason on a one-year deal and regained his starting role. In 11 games last season, Perryman made 55 total tackles– missing six games due to injuries. But now in his age-32/33 season, Perryman will need to come back stronger than before and prove that he can still play at a high level.
In the wake of Perryman being placed on the IR, the Chargers promoted long snapper Rick Lovato to the active roster as well as defensive back Tony Jefferson and linebacker Kana’i Mauga.