CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – In some startling news from the NFL, former Carolina Panthers linebacker Denzel Perryman was taken into custody on Friday, facing serious felony charges, as reported by various sources.
According to ESPN, the Chargers player found himself in handcuffs on the night of August 1 due to a weapons-related offense.
Reportedly, Perryman was stopped by law enforcement in Los Angeles, where officers discovered five firearms in his vehicle; among them were two AR-style rifles. It’s claimed he was heading to a shooting range when he was pulled over, as detailed by TMZ.
In light of this incident, the Los Angeles Chargers issued a statement acknowledging they were aware of the situation and were gathering information. Perryman’s representative conveyed to NFL Network that the 32-year-old linebacker is prepared to fully cooperate with the process.
Perryman showcased a noteworthy performance in the previous season, amassing 55 tackles and one sack over 11 games with the Chargers. He earned his place at the Pro Bowl in 2021.
Perryman’s Journey with the Panthers
His time with Carolina was brief—so brief that he was traded before the season officially kicked off. Perryman signed on with the Panthers in March 2021, practiced through training camp, and played in the first two preseason matches before being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders just days before the official season began on August 25.
One of the memorable moments from his time in Carolina was getting flagged for speeding (91 mph) on his drive to training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.
Post-trade, Perryman flourished with the Raiders, achieving a personal best of 154 tackles in 2021. He later moved to the Texans in 2023, before coming back to the Chargers this year, reigniting a career that began in 2015 with the franchise.
Perryman stands as an experienced starter in the league, likely to be a vital resource for the Chargers’ defense as they move forward into the upcoming seasons.
