The Los Angeles Chargers will be without a key defender as they take on AFC West rival the Las Vegas Raiders and this loss could make it difficult for the team to stop Ashton Jeanty on the ground

The Chargers loss of Denny Perryman is a massive blow to the team’s run defense.

Brentley Weissman — College Football Trending News Writer
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Aug 7, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (6) during training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Chargers entered the week already navigating a turbulent start to the season, and the latest blow could be one of the toughest to overcome. Veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman, the team’s top run-stopper and emotional anchor in the middle of the defense, is expected to miss several weeks after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 1 against Kansas City. His absence not only robs the Chargers of leadership, but also directly impacts how they’ll defend one of the league’s most explosive young backs this weekend.

In Perryman’s place, the Chargers will turn to Troy Dye, a capable veteran who has carved out a role as a reliable depth linebacker and special teams contributor. Dye has experience in the system and will provide stability in terms of communication and coverage assignments. However, his biggest weakness—defending the run—directly contrasts with Perryman’s biggest strength. That contrast is magnified with the Chargers set to face the Las Vegas Raiders and star running back Ashton Jeanty, who has quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous weapons in the AFC.

Perryman has long been recognized as one of the league’s most physical inside linebackers, thriving in short-yardage situations and plugging interior gaps with aggression. He was widely viewed as the Chargers’ best run defender at the position, a role that will be difficult to replicate. Without him, the unit loses its most dependable tackler against the ground game.

Dye, on the other hand, is known more for his versatility and ability to drop into coverage. While he brings value in defending passes over the middle, his track record against the run has left questions. Too often, Dye struggles to disengage from blockers at the second level, an issue that could be exposed against a back like Jeanty who thrives on patience, vision, and yards after contact.

The timing couldn’t be worse for Los Angeles. The Raiders enter Week 2 looking to establish their offensive identity behind Jeanty, who has the burst to turn a small crease into a big play. If Dye and the Chargers front can’t hold their ground, Las Vegas could control tempo, keep Justin Herbert off the field, and tilt the game in its favor.

For head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, the challenge will be finding ways to mask Dye’s limitations. That could mean leaning on safety help in the box, rotating linebackers more frequently, or dialing up aggressive fronts to prevent Jeanty from finding rhythm.

One thing is clear: without Perryman’s presence, the Chargers’ margin for error shrinks considerably. Sunday’s game against the Raiders may come down to whether Dye can rise to the occasion and prove he can hold up where the Chargers need him most—against the run.

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