Denzel Perryman exited the Chargers’ wild-card loss with an elbow injury, one which required a notable recovery process. The veteran linebacker has returned to full strength, however. 
Perryman recently revealed he has been cleared (h/t team reporter Eric Smith). As a result, he will be able to participate fully in the team’s upcoming OTAs as well as minicamp in June. A healthy campaign will be key for the 32-year-old since he enters the season as a pending free agent.
Perryman spent his first six seasons with the Chargers before signing with the Panthers in 2021. By the team the season started, he found himself back in the AFC West by means of a trade to the Raiders. The former second-rounder spent one season in Vegas, enjoying a career year and earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way. That was followed by another one-and-done campaign, this time with the Texans.
Last spring, Perryman returned to the Bolts on a one-year deal. He reprised his role as a full-time starter at the linebacker spot, registering 55 tackles and one sack in 11 regular season games. The Miami product managed to return for Los Angeles’ wild-card loss to Houston, but he was sidelined for much of the contest due to the elbow ailment. During the opening stages of free agency this year, Perryman secured another one-year Chargers pact.
That deal – which contains a base value of $2.65MM and includes up to $1.1MM in bonuses – will be expected to again yield a strong showing for the Chargers’ defense. In 2024, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Los Angeles enjoyed a notable rebound on that side of the ball. Perryman will aim to continue as a first-team presence and in doing so help his market value for 2026.
The Chargers also have the likes of Junior Colson, Daiyan Henley and Troy Dye in place at the linebacker spot. That position group will be expected to deliver strong production as the team looks to reach the postseason once more in 2025, and a return to health in Perryman’s case will be a welcomed development.