Houston Texans' Denzel Perryman Suspension Reduced to Two Games

Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman will miss the next two games following a league suspension.

HOUSTON — The NFL suspended veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman Tuesday morning due to repeated violations of rules intended to protect the health and safety of players. The league suspended Perryman for three games. But Wednesday afternoon, an appeal reduced his suspension to two games.

Perryman sustained his seventh violation during the Texans' 30-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals following a tackle on wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. 

"With Denzel, we’ll let the process play out," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "We’ll have our young guys step up and be ready to go. Part of the business — hate to lose one of our starters – a good player in Denzel."

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

Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase is hit in the head by Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman for a penalty on a reception in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 10 game between the Cincinnati Bengals :: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

He will return to the team's active roster ahead of their Week 13 contest against the Denver Broncos. Perryman has played in six games for the Texans, recording 41 tackles, 25 solo hits, one quarterback hit, and 0.5 sacks.

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.

"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.