The Los Angeles Chargers will have one of their top playmakers back on the field at Hoag Performance Center this week as Head Coach Anthony Lynn announced Denzel Perryman will return to practice.
Unfortunately, it will still be a few weeks before the linebacker will suit up in an actual game.
Perryman landed on the Reserve/Injured list mere days before the start of the season due to an ankle injury suffered in the first preseason game. The plan all along was to designate him as one of two possible players to return from IR, and that is exactly what will happen.
Per NFL Rules, the linebacker is eligible to return to practice following six weeks. However, he must miss at least eight games before being back on the active roster.
Still, the chance to simply take part in practice is music to Perryman's ears.
"I'm excited just to get back on the field, period," he said. "Just being with the guys is going to be very exciting. I can't wait. I'm feeling great. Healthy. I'm probably going to be like a little kid on Wednesday again for the first day of practice."
A true thumper, Perryman is known as one of the NFL's most ferocious tacklers. The 5-11, 240-pound linebacker is has appeared in 26 games with 20 starts since being selected in the second round (48th overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft. He's totaled 175 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception over his career.
In addition to his physical talent, the Miami product is a natural born leader who is well respected in the locker room. As a result, Lynn hasn't been shy about what Perryman means to this team, which is why he expects him to have a tangible impact as soon as Week 10 against the Jaguars.
"He will practice this week," Lynn said. "When we get him back for the Jacksonville game, I expect (his impact) to be big. He's a starting MIKE linebacker in this league. We miss him right now."
The Bolts celebrate Sunday's exciting road victory against the Oakland Raiders.
