Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

NFL Announces $312,352 Punishment After Cowboys Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Dec 22, 2025 3:47 PM ET

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman has been suspended two games by the NFL after an incident that took place in their 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Tempers flared in the first half when Perryman made helmet-to-helmet contact with Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy after he caught a 13-yard pass from Dak Prescott. Perryman was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play, and Dallas accepted the 15-yard penalty after the officials broke up a tussle between the two teams.

On Monday, the NFL announced that Perryman was suspended for the Chargers' final two games of the regular season.

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the punishment was for “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.”

Perryman received a three-game suspension in 2023 for repeated impermissible use of the helmet violations, which fall under the NFL’s player safety rules. He was playing for the Houston Texans at the time and had to forfeit $358,823 of his 2023 salary during the suspension.

He has not been fined in 2025, but he did receive a $66,666 fine for another impermissible use of the helmet incident in 2024. His history combined with the play in the Cowboys game earned him no grace with the league office.

Here's the play from the second quarter where #Chargers LB Denzel Perryman hits #Cowboys WR Ryan Flournoy: https://t.co/SUIhWEqBQE pic.twitter.com/IVeZFm4vj0
— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) December 22, 2025

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed that Perryman will be suspended without pay, which means the NFL's decision will cost him $312,352. Perryman's 2025 salary is $2,655,000, which works out to $156,176 per game over a 17-game season.

He will miss the Chargers' next game against his former team, the Texans, in Week 17. After that, the Chargers face the Denver Broncos in Week 18 in a game that will have significant impact on playoff seeding and the AFC West division title. Perryman could return for the playoffs after serving his suspension.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys play next on Christmas Day against the Washington Commanders. They are already eliminated from postseason contention.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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