NFL news: Chargers’ Denzel Perryman suspended after bad hit on Cowboys’ Ryan Flournoy
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The NFL suspended Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman for 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 a hit on Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy, delivering a “strong blow to the helmet” while the receiver was already on the ground.
The NFL added that Perryman violated the rule prohibiting him from “using any part of the helmet or face mask to strike or forcibly contact the head or neck area of an opponent.”
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Denzel Perryman of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up before their 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 field. In 2023, he had to sit out three games after being penalized for using his helmet without permission.
Perryman was also fined four times during his 11-year career for mishandling his helmet or roughing up a passer.
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According to multiple reports, Perryman plans to appeal his sentence.
I’m in a similar situation as the Chargers are fighting for a playoff berth in their remaining two games and will face the Houston Texans in Week 17. The Chargers will then face the Denver Broncos, who have already secured a playoff berth, in Week 18.
Depending on how both the Broncos and Chargers perform in Week 17, the regular season finale could be for the division title.
Chig Okonkwo of the Tennessee Titans gets stiff arms Denzel Perryman, No. 6 of the Los Angeles Chargers, during 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 be top seed in the AFC with a wild card at No. 5, but that would still mean heading out for their first playoff appearance.
That’s what they did last season when they lost to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Perryman appeared in 10 games for the Chargers this season, making 47 combined tackles with three passing interceptions. He has been a fixture on the team since being drafted by the Chargers in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft in Miami.
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The Chargers’ defense, led by coordinator Jesse Minter, has been a solid group all season. They rank third in yards allowed per game (283.1) and eighth in points allowed (20.1).
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