Denzel Perryman returns fully healthy for Chargers after recovering from an elbow injury sustained during the team’s wild-card playoff loss. The veteran linebacker has been medically cleared to take part in the upcoming offseason team activities (OTAs) and minicamp scheduled for June.
This full recovery comes at a crucial time since Perryman, now 32 years old, is entering the 2025 season as a pending free agent, with a healthy year potentially boosting his market value.
Career Journey Leading Back to the Chargers
Perryman began his NFL career with the Chargers, spending his first six seasons there before signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Before the 2021 season got underway, he was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he had a standout year that included a Pro Bowl selection. After a single season in Vegas, he spent a year with the Houston Texans.
In spring 2023, Perryman returned to the Chargers on a one-year contract, resuming his role as a full-time starting linebacker. During that season, he recorded 55 tackles and one sack across 11 regular season games. Despite his return in the wild-card loss to Houston, the elbow injury limited his playing time in that game. Early in this year’s free agency period, Perryman secured another one-year deal to remain with Los Angeles.
Expectations for Perryman and the Chargers’ Linebacker Group in 2025
Perryman’s new contract carries a base value of $2.65 million, with up to $1.1 million available in bonuses, reflecting the team’s confidence in his continued contribution to their defense. Under the leadership of new head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, the Chargers defense showed significant improvement in 2024, and Perryman aims to hold his spot as a key linebacker in 2025.
A healthy Perryman will add valuable depth alongside emerging talents such as Junior Colson, Daiyan Henley, and Troy Dye. This linebacker corps will be relied upon to generate strong defensive performances as Los Angeles strives to return to the postseason. Perryman’s return to full health is thus a positive sign for the Chargers’ defensive ambitions.