Chargers coach Anthony Lynn announced that linebacker Denzel Perryman will start at middle linebacker this weekend against the Vikings.
Perryman missed the Week 14 matchup against the Jaguars after he and safety Roderic Teamer were sent home after missing a morning meeting prior to the game.
While Perryman missed out on the action, rookie standout Drue Tranquill got the start, where he led the team in tackles with eight.
“He’s been our starting MIKE all year. Last week we had a disagreement, so he went home. He understands, and now he’s back,” Lynn said.
The decision to start Perryman and resort Tranquill back to the bench isn’t surprising, but it’s a bit of a head-scratcher.
The fourth-round selection has arguably been the best linebacker this season, where he’s been a force against the run and has been the most superior in coverage.
There’s still a chance that we could see Tranquill on the field more than advertised. But at the moment, we can anticipate Perryman getting the majority of the snaps, while Tranquill serves as a sub-package linebacker.
Other notable updates:
- Lynn said he will make a decision on whether defensive tackle Jerry Tillery will be active for Sunday later this week. Tillery was not active in Week 14 in favor of Sylvester Williams.
- With his suspension over, Michael Davis will retake his starting job at corner. But Lynn said Brandon Facyson will still get time because of how well he’s played, particularly against the run.
