Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman's 3-game suspension knocked down to 2 after appeal
Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman had a three-game suspension knocked down to two games on Wednesday after appealing the NFL's discipline, the NFL announced Wednesday.
The ninth-year veteran was suspended Tuesday due to "repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players." His appeal was heard by hearing officer James Thrash, a representative jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA.
Perryman, who was fined $66,666 for unnecessary roughness in Week 2, drew an unnecessary roughness foul in Week 10 after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
His hit on Ja'Marr Chase in Sunday's game drew the ire of the league office. "You had unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided," the NFL wrote in the suspension letter. Here's the play that drew unnecessary roughness flags pic.twitter.com/qXWXLpemL8
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) November 14, 2023
The Texans went on to win the contest 30-27.
The hit on Chase was cited in the league's release on the suspension. NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan called out that specific play as a reason for the punishment when announcing the original suspension.
“With 4:07 remaining in the fourth quarter, you were involved in a play that the league considers a serious violation of the playing rules. 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."
It was the sixth time in his career Perryman has received "personal fouls of this type," per the release. Repeat offenders of the league's health and safety policy are subject to greater punishment from the NFL.
Perryman will now start serving his suspension and will miss his team's next two games against the Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars. He will be eligible to return in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos.
