SAN DIEGO -- After being out for two games with a hamstring injury, San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Denzel Perryman is healthy and ready to take the field for the first time in a month against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Now in his second season, the University of Miami product was counted on to serve as one of the key contributors on San Diego’s defense in 2016. But along with sitting out the last two games with a leg injury, Perryman also missed a Week 5 contest against the Oakland Raiders due to a shoulder issue.
Even though he’s been banged up, Perryman is still sixth on the team with 33 combined tackles, along with a sack and an interception. Perryman said he’s anxious to get back on the field and contribute.
“I’m just excited man,” Perryman said. “I’m real antsy and I can’t wait. Watch out for Sunday.”
Perryman will be tested in facing an efficient Houston Texans rushing attack led by fellow Miami product Lamar Miller -- No. 5 in the league with 824 rushing yards and three touchdowns. So Perryman will have his hands full.
Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano said recent addition Korey Toomer will remain the team’s defensive play caller, even though Perryman has more experience in his system.
Pagano wants Perryman freed up to do two things -- see ball, go get ball.
“He’s been doing a great job with that,” Pagano said about Toomer making the defensive play calls. “I didn’t want to just change it to change it. I feel like Denzel coming back is going to have a lot on his plate. After his first couple hits he’s got to get focused on seeing the formation and making the calls on certain things, so we didn’t want to overload him right off the bat.
“He’s a damn good football player that hits hard and makes plays. Any time you can add that element to your defense, that’s going to be good.”
Receiver Travis Benjamin appears on target to play this week after missing the Miami Dolphins game two weeks ago with a sprained right knee. Benjamin was a full participant in practice this week, but is listed as questionable on San Diego’s injury report.
Receiver Jeremy Butler (ankle) and linebacker Tourek Williams (hamstring) also are questionable.
Linebacker Jatavis Brown (knee), cornerback Brandon Flowers (concussion) and tight end Asante Cleveland (concussion, knee) have been ruled out.
