NFL suspends Texans LB Denzel Perryman for three games due to repeated player safety violations

The NFL suspended Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman, Tuesday, for repeated violations of rules meant to protect the health and safety of players.

He’ll miss three games with the suspension.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the news.

The NFL has suspended #Texans LB Denzel Perryman for three games for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect health and safety of players. Sunday was his 7th use of helmet foul.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 14, 2023

Officials tagged Perryman for helmet hit on Ja’Marr Chase

Game officials in the Texans-Bengals game this past Sunday flagged Perryman for a helmet-to-helmet hit with receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Houston won the game at Paycor Stadium. But the penalty triggered the suspension.

Joe Runyan, the NFL VP for football operations, wrote a letter to Perryman, notifying him of the suspension. Runyan informed Perryman that:

“You lowered your head and delivered a forcible blow to the shoulder and then the head/neck area of the receiver. You had unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.”

According to Runyan, this was the sixth violation for Perryman, the one-time second-round NFL draft pick and former Miami Hurricane standout. In week two, the league fined Perryman a $66,666 fine for a fourth-quarter hit during a game against the Colts. However, the Texans linebacker wasn’t fined by officials during the game. It remains one of the biggest fines issued this season, although Keith Smith of the Falcons had to pay an $87,418 fine in late September.

Runyan also told the Texans linebacker: “When players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, and particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player, it is appropriate to impose substantially greater penalties.”

Linebacker is eligible to return to Texans, Dec. 4

Perryman can appeal the ban. As of now, he’s eligible to return to the Texans active roster, Dec. 4. He should miss games against Arizona, Jacksonville and Denver.

Under the league’s collective bargaining agreement, Perryman can appeal the suspension. The hearing would be heard by either Derrick Brooks or James Thrash.

Perryman is in his first season with the Texans, with Houston signing him to a one-year contract in March. The 30-year-old is second on the team in tackles for the 5-4 Texans. Christian Harris probably will see more playing time as a result of Perryman’s suspension.