BREAKING: NFL Suspends Houston Texans Linebacker Denzel Perryman

The Houston Texans will be without their starting middle linebacker Denzel Perryman due to a three-game suspension.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans will be without veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman for the next three games. As first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the league has suspended Perryman without pay for three games due to repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.

Perryman sustained his seventh violation during the Texans' 30-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. NFL's Vice President of Policy and Rules Administrator Jon Runyan wrote in a statement: 

"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 an unobstructed path to your opponent, and the illegal contact could have been avoided."

Denzel Perryman (6) is penalized for unnecessary roughness after hitting Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase :: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

"Perryman has had multiple offenses for personal fouls of this type - six violations - throughout his career, including in Week 2 against Indianapolis, when he was fined for a violation of the same rule.

With the loss of Perryman, the Texans will have to take the field without their starting middle linebacker in games against the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos. Perryman's absence coincides with the Texans' three-game homestand.

He will return to the team's active roster ahead of their Week 14 contest against the New York Jets. Perryman has played in six games for the Texans, recording 41 tackles, 25 solo hits, one quarterback hit, and 0.5 sacks.

Texans Win Second Consecutive Game in Victory Over Bengals