Denzel Perryman news makes Chargers' AFC West title chase even tougher

Accomplishing that goal has now gotten a little harder, though, with the news that run-stuffing linebacker Denzel Perryman has been suspended for two games by the NFL.

Perryman was given an unnecessary roughness flag in the second quarter of the Chargers' win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. He hit Dallas wideout Ryan Flournoy, who was in a defenseless position as a receiver.

Perryman stayed in the game after that play, but the NFL suspended him for two games on Monday for "repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players," according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. 

Los Angeles Chargers LB Denzel Perryman to appeal two-game suspension 

Perryman's agent told ESPN that he will appeal the suspension, but if it's upheld, the veteran linebacker will miss the next two critical games for the Chargers.

"I thought he was trying to go over the tackle and over the ball carrier and hopefully that'll be taken into consideration on appeal," head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday, per ESPN. "I think Denzel's done a good job — a great job — of trying to take the helmet out of his play. And I know he'll continue to do that."

Notably, Perryman was suspended in 2023 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cincinnati Bengals' star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. This season, Perryman has notched 47 tackles, including four tackles-for-loss, and three passes defended.