Denzel Perryman is playing catch-up

Four months into his Chargers career, Denzel Perryman is a minor mystery.

Sorry to be self-referential, but I've little sense of how Perryman has fared since he arrived in May.

Injuries, both in the spring and the summer, have set back the rookie linebacker and second-round draft pick.

Perryman missed several spring practices due to a hamstring injury.

When he worked in June, hitting wasn't allowed. The Chargers, remember, drafted Perryman as a hammer.

Perryman looked fit when training camp began, having worked out with NFL veterans Frank Gore, Andre Johnson and other University of Miami alums this summer in Miami.

In the camp opener, he made a fine play that many rookies don't make.

He worked 25 snaps in the exhibition opener, Aug. 13.

Again, he reacted well, breaking up a pass for a receiver, but as coach Mike McCoy noted, he also was flagged for a late hit.

The hits have been few. An undisclosed injury sidelined Perryman last week, and the Chargers held him out of the exhibition at Arizona.

So even for McCoy, who with his coaches pores over tape of every practice and the exhibitions, Perryman remains something of a mystery.

Here's McCoy on Thursday, when asked how Perryman has grown since joining the team.

Well, he's learning the system. He's missed too much time up to this point in time, with injuries, unfortunately. That's all part of the game. So it's been more mental for him. The big thing is, that he's got to stay healthy, and really stay into his book, and learn, and get in great football shape, and get going.

He has made all three practices this week and is expected to play Saturday against the Seahawks. The Chargers will play another exhibition Sept. 3, against the 49ers.

For Perryman, 21, it's a chance to catch up. He's behind.


(sandiegouniontribune.com)