Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman was arrested Friday night in Los Angeles on felony weapons charges, according to multiple reports. The veteran NFL player is facing serious allegations related to the possession of assault weapons.
Details of the Arrest
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Perryman was booked on a felony charge at 9:41 p.m. Friday. Deputies initiated a traffic stop due to vehicle code violations. During the investigation, they discovered multiple weapons violations, leading to Perryman's arrest.
"NFL player, Denzel Perryman, was arrested by South Los Angeles Station deputies on Friday, August 1, 2025. Deputies conducted a traffic stop of Mr. Perryman’s vehicle for vehicle code violations. During their investigation, Mr. Perryman was arrested for multiple weapons violations," the Sheriff's Department said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. The statement also noted that Perryman was "extremely cooperative" with the deputies.
Weapons Found in Vehicle
TMZ reported that Perryman was on his way to a gun range when he was stopped by police. A search of his vehicle allegedly revealed two AR rifles and three handguns. According to the report, the rifles were non-compliant with California law, making them illegal.
Legal Proceedings
Perryman is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. As of Saturday morning, he remained in jail, according to TMZ.
Perryman's NFL Career
Denzel Perryman, 32, is currently in his second stint with the Chargers. He was initially drafted by the team in the second round in 2015 and played for them until 2020. He then spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans before returning to the Chargers for the 2024 season. In 2023, while playing for the Texans, Perryman was suspended for three games (later reduced to two) for repeated violations of player safety rules.
Last season, Perryman played in 11 games for the Chargers, recording 55 tackles and one interception. The Chargers finished with an 11-6 record and secured a wild card berth in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as head coach.