Football

Will Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowler Denzel Perryman be available against Broncos?

There is a chance Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman could return for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.

Perryman missed the past two games, including the Raiders’ 16-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns, because of an ankle injury he suffered against the Washington Football Team on Dec. 5.

“I’m good,” he said. “It’s all a work in progress. Getting better day-by-day and we’ll see how I feel in another week.”

When asked if he was going to play Sunday, he nodded and said “oh yeah, I feel real good and it’s a work in progress.”

Perryman received good news Monday when he was informed by the Raiders coaches through FaceTime that he made his first Pro Bowl. He joins defensive end Maxx Crosby and A.J. Cole as the only Raiders named to the Pro Bowl.

The news came as a surprise to Perryman.

“They were all in the camera and was like ‘I just wanted to call and let you hear from us first and say you made the Pro Bowl,’” Perryman recalled. “My eyes opened up and was like, ‘Oh.’ I didn’t say what I wanted to say. It still hasn’t hit me, yet. It’s a good feeling.”

Perryman was selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played six seasons with the Chargers before he signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.

The Raiders acquired Perryman prior to the season because of an injury to linebacker Nicholas Morrow.

It is working out for Perryman, who leads the Raiders in tackles with 133.

He was the leading vote-getter among AFC inside linebackers with 113,733 votes in fan voting for the Pro Bowl.

“To be recognized by my peers ... it still hasn’t hit me,” he said. “It means a lot and not too many (players) get that selection, no matter how many votes you have; no matter who you are, but right now, it means a lot. I’ve been in the league seven years and the first time I ever been selected or even in the ballot. It’s something I feel great about.”

Johanthan Abram out for season

Raiders safety Johnathan Abram is done for the season.

Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network said Abram will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery Thursday after he left Monday’s game in the fourth quarter. He returned to the game.

He appeared to injure his left shoulder.

In Abram’s rookie season in 2019, he left the Broncos game after a tore rotator cuff and labrum.

He was second on the team this season with with 113 tackles.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram gets examined after being injured against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL game, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Cleveland.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram gets examined after being injured against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL game, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Cleveland. Ron Schwane AP

Brandon Facyson heads to COVID-19 list

Raiders placed cornerback Brandon Facyson on the COVID-19 list Wednesday.

The Raiders now have two cornerbacks on the COVID list.

Rookie Nate Hobbs was placed on the list Monday, and it’s not clear if either will be available for Sunday’s game.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson tackles Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones during the second half of an NFL game, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Cleveland.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson tackles Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones during the second half of an NFL game, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Cleveland. Ron Schwane AP

This story was originally published December 22, 2021 at 4:44 PM.

Anthony Galaviz
The Fresno Bee
Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology. Support my work with a digital subscription
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