The Chargers’ middle linebacker spot got a lot murkier this week, and Denzel Perryman’s move to injured reserve is the reason why.
What looked like a fairly stable part of the roster suddenly turned into one of the more interesting questions heading into Week 1. Perryman, who played about 52 percent of Los Angeles’ defensive snaps over 10 appearances last season, is out for at least four games. And while that minimum gives the Chargers some kind of timeline, head coach Jim Harbaugh left the door open on when he might actually 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."
The bigger issue for Los Angeles is what comes next. Harbaugh said he is not ready to name a starter next to Daiyan Henley, which means the Chargers are heading into the opener without a clear answer in the middle of the defense.
"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."
That group gives the Chargers some options, but not much certainty. Troy Dye has stepped in before when injuries have hit the linebacker room.
Del'Shawn Phillips brings value on special teams, which could make the team cautious about adding too much wear to his defensive workload. Marlowe Wax also remains in the mix, and his rise has made him a real name to watch after he pushed past other developmental players like Junior Colson.
The Chargers do have a couple of practice squad options they can turn to over the first month if they need more depth. Even so, losing Perryman strips away the stability the team wanted when it brought him back for another season, and the real answers on how Los Angeles handles the spot won’t come until next week.
In Other News...
Chargers Practice Squad Shuffle Brings In Some Very Familiar Names
The Chargers roster work for 2026 didnt stop at the 53-man deadline. After trimming down the active group, the team turned to the practice squad and added a mix of developmental depth and one especially familiar name, signing tight end Patrick Herbert, the younger brother of quarterback Justin Herbert, along with cornerback Kaiir Elam, wide receiver Theo Wease and defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson.
It also meant a few familiar faces moved out of the picture, with cornerback Isas Waxter, wide receiver Devonte Ross and defensive lineman Jahmeer Carter all released from the practice squad. For a Chargers team trying to keep as much quality depth around its quarterback as possible, the family connection attached to Herberts latest addition is the kind of detail that will keep getting attention as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Add Another Mike McDaniel Connection Fans Should Keep An Eye On
After trimming to their Week 1 roster, the Chargers have added another familiar name to the mix by signing wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. to the practice squad. Wease comes in as an undrafted free agent from 2025 and gives Los Angeles another body in a receiver room that can never really have too much depth once the regular season starts.
Wease also brings a small but notable connection to Mike McDaniels orbit, having spent time with the Miami Dolphins under the offensive coordinator before landing in Los Angeles. He got into one game last season and found the end zone, a reminder that even a practice squad addition can carry a little upside if the right opening comes along. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Herbert Enters Week 1 With Chargers Pressure Already Building
Justin Herbert goes into Week 1 with the usual weight that comes with being the Chargers franchise quarterback, but the conversation around him this week was more about process than promises. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel offered broad expectations for Herberts growth without attaching any specific benchmarks before the season opener, while the team also handled a procedural roster move with punter JK Scott, who was released and re-signed to keep flexibility on the back end of the roster. General manager Joe Hortiz backed Scotts work, a small but familiar reminder that plenty of the early-season noise around this team lives well beyond the quarterback.
Herbert was also named one of the Chargers captains, another sign that the organization is leaning on him not just for production, but for tone-setting as the season begins. The pressure around him does not need a number attached to it to be understood, especially with the opener arriving and expectations always trailing the Chargers wherever they go. What remains to be seen is how much of that quiet confidence in Herbert and the offense shows up once the games count. [Read more 🡒]