Denzel Perryman was one of five inside linebackers the Chargers carried to start the season.
He is one of four they are expected to be without Sunday.
The physical second-year pro likely will be sidelined against the Titans; a source said Tuesday that the hamstring injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Broncos could require weeks of rest.
Chances appear to be good that he will not play before the team's Week 11 bye, meaning that he would miss upcoming home games versus Tennessee and Miami.
San Diego is short-handed at other positions. Arguably, none compares to inside linebacker.
Athletic rookie Jatavis Brown also was injured in Denver, exiting early in the fourth quarter when his left knee slammed against a Broncos offensive lineman. He may miss the next week or two, a source said Monday.
The group also is without co-captain Manti Te'o, who tore his Achilles tendon in Week 3, and core special teams player Nick Dzubnar, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 4. Both are on injured reserve.
That leaves Joshua Perry, a rookie fourth-round draft pick, as the last healthy member of the position group's original five.
If Brown is sidelined as anticipated, Perry and Korey Toomer will be the starters Sunday. Toomer was signed off the Raiders' practice squad in late September.
The Chargers added linebacker James Burgess from their practice squad in response to the developing state of the position. One more linebacker, Deon King, remains on their practice squad.
