The LA Chargers opened the 2025 season with the team's biggest win since defeating the Kansas City Chiefs with a two-point conversion in 2018. This win over the Chiefs was much different than the 2018 contest, however, as the Bolts commanded the game throughout.
It wasn't all roses for the Chargers, though. Veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman suffered an ankle injury during the contest and was seen in a walking boot after the game. With a depleted linebacker room due to Junior Colson's season-ending injury, Perryman's injury has big implications on the defense.
The Chargers will be short-handed without Perryman, but the team avoided the worst-case scenario. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Perryman suffered a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
Chargers avoid true disaster with Denzel Perryman's ankle injury
High-ankle sprains are no joke and can linger for some time, but this is still a good outcome considering the circumstances for the Bolts. The sight of Perryman in a walking boot opened the door for something more serious. Thankfully, it isn't.
If Perryman misses four games his return date would fall on October 12 against the Miami Dolphins. In that span, he would miss games against the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Washington Commanders. That's not a great stretch to lose a starting linebacker.
If it stretches out to six games missed then Perryman will return on October 23 against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football. However, given the short nature of the week, the Chargers could hold him out until the following Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. That would bleed his return date into November.
Either way, the Chargers will get Perryman back this season and will get him back for the most important stretch of the year. That's a lot better than what could have happened, even if it stings the Chargers in the meantime.
And hey, there is a silver lining to Perryman's injury in that it will give young, hungry linebackers a chance to prove their worth in Jesse Minter's defense. Undrafted free agent Marlowe Wax, who was one of the biggest preseason standouts on the team, will benefit the most from the added playing time.
Who knows, perhaps the Chargers find their next starting linebacker while Perryman is out injured. Crazier things have happened.