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Jim Harbaugh on How Long Chargers Linebacker Denzel Perryman Could Be Out
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- Jim Harbaugh on How Long Chargers Linebacker Denzel Perryman Could Be Out
The Los Angeles Chargers may have strong pass rushers in Khalil Mack , Tuli Tuipulotu and rookie Akheem Mesidor , as well as an excellent safety in Derwin James Jr., but they need better play from the second level of their defense.
Pro Football Focus recently rated their linebacker room as one of the worst in the NFL, and in order to rectify that, they will need their interior linebackers to step up. That could start with Denzel Perryman , whose numbers have steadily declined as he has dealt with injuries over the last few years.
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He is starting this regular season on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, which means he will have to miss the first four games of the schedule per NFL rules.
Jim Harbaugh on how long Perryman could be out
Aug 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (6) before the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he doesn't know exactly how long Perryman will be unable to take the field, but he did sound confident that it shouldn't take more than four games.
"I know it will be a minimum of four games," Harbaugh said, via Chargers Wire . "I don't know if it will take that long.
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"Close to it, it depends on the rehab and things. I don't think it will be too much longer than that, though," Harbaugh added.
New defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary sounded confident about Perryman's situation, as well as the team's overall linebacker situation, via Alex Insdorf on X (formerly Twitter).
"Feel for Denzel. I know he'll be back…his story is not over."
"We've spoke all camp about how deep that room is."
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"We have a plan moving forward about how we're going to approach it."
Perryman suffered a high ankle sprain last year and was limited to 10 games. He hasn't played in over 12 games in a season since 2021, the year he made the Pro Bowl as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders .
That season, he had 154 total tackles (94 solo). Last year, he posted 47 total tackles (30 solo), four tackles for loss and three passes defended.
He was originally taken by the Chargers in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft and spent his first six seasons with them. He returned to the team two years ago after one season with the Houston Texans .
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Perryman, who is now 33 years of age, re-signed with L.A. on a one-year, $2.8 million contract in March.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
