Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman was behind bars Saturday after sheriff’s deputies allegedly found two illegal assault-style rifles during a traffic stop.
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s South Los Angeles station stopped Perryman for vehicle code violations at about 9:30 p.m. Friday, according to the LASD.
“During the traffic stop deputies discovered five firearms in Mr. Perryman’s vehicle, two of which were assault style rifles. He was arrested and booked on weapons violation charges and was cooperative with deputies,” the department added.
Perryman was being held without bail at the sheriff’s South Los Angeles station and is scheduled to appear in an Inglewood courtroom on Tuesday.
“We are aware of a matter involving Denzel and are gathering information,” a spokesperson for the Chargers told City News Service on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Florida native, who played for the University of Miami, was taken by the Chargers in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played for the Chargers through 2020, then played for the Raiders for two seasons and for the Houston Texans in 2023 before returning to the Chargers in 2024, when he started all 11 games he appeared in.
He has 717 tackles in his 10-year NFL career, along with seven-and-a-half sacks and five interceptions.
On Saturday, his agent released the following statement to NFL.com: “Denzel is a respected veteran in the NFL and a dedicated father, teammate, and professional. While we do not take this situation lightly, we remain confident that the matter will be resolved fairly and in accordance with the law.”