EL SEGUNDO — Keenan Allen, a free agent wide receiver who spent his first 11 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers before they traded him last year to the Chicago Bears in a cost-saving move, worked out Friday with his old team. But, as of Monday, he and the Chargers had yet to agree on a contract.
It was unclear whether there was any movement on a deal that would bolster the Chargers’ depth at the position and add a great deal of experience to an inexperienced collection of talented but youthful pass catchers. Allen’s workout went well, according to Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh.
“He did a lot of Keenan things, it was an impressive workout,” Harbaugh said. “The interest has always been there with Keenan. Hopeful, as always. Competitors, playmakers, and, as (safety) Derwin (James Jr.) said, ballers are always welcome with the Los Angeles Chargers.”
Khalil Mack, a future Hall of Fame outside linebacker and one of the greatest pass rushers of his generation, welcomed a potential signing of Allen despite playing on the opposite side of the football. Mack referred to Allen as “Mr. Third Down,” a player who could keep the offense on the field, and the defense off of it, resting.
Quarterback Justin Herbert called Allen “a special player,” but referred further questions to “the guys upstairs,” meaning Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz and assistant GM Chad Alexander. Herbert also pointed out that Allen and Ladd McConkey play the same role as a slot receiver.
It’s a conflict that could be resolved easily enough, according to Harbaugh.
McConkey broke Allen’s Chargers rookie records for catches with 82 and receiving yardage with 1,149 last season. Allen had 71 receptions for 1,046 yards as a rookie in 2013 with the then-San Diego Chargers, who drafted in the third round out of the University of California (76th overall).
PERRYMAN FREED
Linebacker Denzel Perryman was released from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department custody Monday afternoon after he was arrested on felony weapons charges following a traffic stop Friday night, according to public records. The charges were dropped by the district attorney.
Officers said they pulled over Perryman, 32, on a vehicle code violation and found five guns in his car, including two illegal assault-style weapons. He was booked and held without bail at the South Los Angeles Station and a court date was set for Tuesday in an Inglewood courtroom.
Harbaugh said earlier Monday that he had visited Perryman on Sunday at the lockup and reported that Perryman was “in good spirits.” Harbaugh also said of Perryman, who is entering his 11th NFL season, “Love Denzel. He’s always done right. He’s never been in trouble. He’s got a beautiful family.”
Perryman is expected to battle for a starting position at right inside linebacker, a job he held last season with the Chargers. He began his career with the Chargers in 2013 when they were based in San Diego. He also has played with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Houston Texans.
O-LINE UPDATE
The Chargers’ offensive line experiment with Zion Johnson shifting from left guard to center and Bradley Bozeman moving from center to left guard is likely to continue when they play host to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium, Harbaugh said.
Bozeman made his debut at center during the Chargers’ victory Thursday over the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. He never played the position in the NFL or college or high school. Bozeman, the Chargers’ starting center last season, has played both positions in the NFL.
Harbaugh made it clear that the Chargers would be at their best with Rashawn Slater at left tackle, Johnson at left guard, Bozeman at center, Mekhi Becton at right guard and Joe Alt at right tackle. Tackle Trey Pipkins III, guard Jamaree Salyer and center Andre James are the top backups.
“Really, really good things,” Harbaugh said of Johnson’s play against the Lions. “I think the versatility that’s been created has been really good. The versatility of Bozeman playing guard, we’ll have that in our back pocket. I think that, at every step in this process, Zion has shown a real upside, a high ceiling.”