Chargers Injury News Raises More Questions Ahead of Week 1

The Los Angeles Chargers made a notable roster adjustment this week after an injury, and the move could create some uncertainty heading into Week 1.

With the preseason cuts, waiver-wire moves and practice squad additions dominating the news cycle, it was easy to overlook one significant decision: the Chargers placed veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman on injured reserve.

Perryman’s placement on IR means the Chargers will begin the season without one of the defense’s most experienced leaders. That adds another layer of difficulty as new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary prepares to take charge of the unit.

The biggest question now is who will replace Perryman. There is no obvious starter waiting to step into the role, especially considering the Chargers did not make many significant additions to the middle of their defense during the offseason.

This situation is not nearly as concerning as the ongoing questions surrounding the offensive line protecting Justin Herbert. Still, it is fair to wonder whether the Chargers could have done more to prepare for the possibility of losing Perryman.

Denzel Perryman Injury Analysis

Even though Perryman is an older player entering another one-year contract, his importance to the Chargers remains clear. He appeared in 10 games last season and played roughly 52 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.

Perryman will miss at least the first four games of the season, although head coach Jim Harbaugh has left the door open for a potentially quicker return.

“I know it will be a minimum of four games,” Harbaugh said, according to Eric Smith of Chargers.com. “I don’t know if it will take that long. Close to it, it depends on the rehab and things. I don’t think it will be too much longer than that though.”

For now, Harbaugh is also not ready to announce a permanent starter alongside Daiyan Henley.

“Not naming a starter today, but Del’Shawn, Troy, ton of confidence in them and Marlowe and also Junior and Lander,” Harbaugh said, per Smith. “We feel like we got a good, deep group there.”

The Chargers have several potential options to fill the void:

• Troy Dye
• Del’Shawn Phillips
• Marlowe Wax

There are also two linebackers on the practice squad who could be elevated for additional depth during the opening month:

• Junior Colson
• Lander Barton

Dye has previously shown that he can step into a larger role when injuries affect the linebacker group. Phillips, meanwhile, has established himself as a valuable special teams contributor, which could make the coaching staff hesitant to increase his workload on defense and potentially expose him to unnecessary wear.

Wax may have the most intriguing opportunity of the group. The former undrafted player has continued to impress while pushing past other young linebacker projects, including Junior Colson. His recent development has made him difficult to overlook and could give him a legitimate opportunity to compete for a starting role.

Whatever decision the Chargers ultimately make, the stability they hoped to gain by bringing Perryman back for another season is temporarily gone. His recovery timeline remains uncertain, and the first real indication of how Los Angeles plans to handle his absence will likely come when the team takes the field in Week 1.