Denzel Perryman’s appeal against his two-game suspension by the NFL was denied, resulting in his absence for the Los Angeles Chargers’ upcoming regular-season matches. Perryman will miss the game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, December 30, at SoFi Stadium, and the clash with the Denver Broncos scheduled for either January 3 or 4, 2024.
In Perryman’s absence, linebacker Troy Dye is expected to step into the starting role. Dye has been instrumental in providing depth throughout the season, while Del’Shawn Phillips, who has made significant contributions on special teams, may also see increased playing time until Perryman is eligible to return on January 5.
The NFL suspended Perryman due to what it called “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.” This decision followed a helmet-to-helmet hit he delivered to Ryan Flournoy of the Dallas Cowboys during the Chargers’ 34-17 victory. Although flagged for unnecessary roughness during the second quarter, Perryman was not ejected from the game. This suspension comes shortly after safety Tony Jefferson was ejected for a similar infraction against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 14.
Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter acknowledged the situation, stating, “It’s what the league decided. The focus suddenly shifts to who do we have? How are we going to make it work? I have great confidence in Troy and those linebackers. We’re ready to roll, move forward to the challenge.” Minter expressed his trust in Dye, noting that the team has won critical games when he has been on the field.
Dye’s performance has been noteworthy this season. He previously filled in for Perryman during a five-game stretch due to a hamstring injury sustained in the season opener against the Chiefs on September 5. Currently, Dye ranks as the Chargers’ third-leading tackler with 50 stops, while Perryman follows closely with 47 tackles. Phillips has also made his mark on special teams, leading with 23 tackles.
Minter added, “Del’Shawn Phillips, the way he’s playing on special teams, the violence, the physicality, the tackling, I’m excited for him to maybe get an opportunity to get in there.” This sentiment reflects the confidence the coaching staff has in their roster depth.
Team Adjustments and Practice Conditions
The Chargers took a proactive approach to their practices by relocating to SoFi Stadium on Wednesday, avoiding an atmospheric river that brought heavy rain to their usual training grounds in El Segundo. This strategic move not only prevented the practice fields from becoming muddy but also allowed players to acclimatize to the stadium environment ahead of their upcoming game.
Safety Derwin James Jr. described the experience as enjoyable, stating, “It was fun today, being able to go out and go to the stadium and still execute. That’s where we’re going to be playing on Saturday.” The team was able to carry on their preparations despite the adverse weather, maintaining focus on executing their game plan.
Injury Updates
Several players were absent from practice, including wide receiver Derius Davis (ankle), safety RJ Mickens (shoulder), offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (hamstring), safety Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder), and running back Kimani Vidal (neck). Additionally, guard Mekhi Becton (knee), outside linebacker Bud Dupree (back), and defensive lineman Teair Tart (groin) were limited participants in practice.
As the Chargers prepare for their crucial games, the focus will be on adapting to personnel changes while maintaining their momentum in the playoff race. The upcoming match against the Texans is set to be a pivotal moment for the team as they aim to secure their postseason positioning.
