Denzel Perryman: Everything you need to know

Perryman and the Chargers agreed to terms on a one-year contract Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Perryman will return to the Chargers for a third consecutive season (and ninth campaign since being drafted by the team in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft). He saw his production dip in 2025, finishing with 47 tackles (30 solo) and three pass defenses across 10 regular-season games. He missed seven games last season, five of which were due to an ankle injury and two more because of a suspension. Perryman's best days are behind him, but he'll fortify the Chargers' depth at inside linebacker behind projected starters Troy Dye and Daiyan Henley.

Perryman concluded the 2025 regular season with 47 tackles (30 solo) and three pass breakups in 10 appearances. The inside linebacker missed five games with an ankle injury and two more due to a suspension stemming from a Week 16 hit on Cowboys receiver Ryan Flournoy. Perryman did start all 10 games he played in as well as the Chargers' playoff matchup with the Patriots. The veteran has played on one-year deals for each of the last three seasons, and he is set to become a free agent again.

The NFL reinstated Perryman from a two-game suspension Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Perryman was handed a two-game suspension by the NFL in late December for "repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players," per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Perryman has served his suspension and will be available for the Chargers' wild-card game against the Patriots on Sunday. The veteran linebacker logged 47 tackles (30 solo) and three passes across 10 regular-season games.