The Chargers will have to open the 2026 season without one of the veteran anchors of their defense. Los Angeles placed linebacker Denzel Perryman on injured reserve, which knocks him out for at least the first four games of the regular season.
That leaves a hole in the middle of the defense right away. Perryman had been set to start alongside Daiyan Henley at inside linebacker, but now the Chargers will need to sort out those snaps without him. The most obvious candidates to pick up the slack are Troy Dye and Marlowe Wax.
Henley has already grown into the focal point of the linebacker group, but Perryman brings a different kind of value. At 33, he’s built his reputation on being a rugged run defender who attacks gaps, fights through blocks and makes runners feel him when he arrives.
That sort of presence is not easy to replace on command. Still, the Chargers have some room to cover for him, especially in passing situations where others can offer more. It’s a setback, but not a fatal one for the unit.
Dye is the more established option and could be in line for a bigger workload while Perryman is out. Wax is the younger name to watch, especially after a strong camp and preseason that made him look ready for a real chance.
Perryman will be back eventually. For now, though, the Chargers have to make it through the first four games without one of their toughest bodies in the middle.
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