Houston Texans’ Denzel Perryman Claps Back at NFL Officials With an Appeal After Suspension Over Illegal Hits

On Sunday, the Houston Texans defense received a big blow when their linebacker Denzel Perryman was suspended for three games. The NFL always places player health and safety first and is known for being strict with players who put others in danger. When Kareem Jackson of the Denver Broncos was suspended for four games for repeated “unnecessary force” violations, the NFL made it clear that no one can harm their fellow players and get away with it.

Perryman was handed the suspension for repeatedly violating players’ safety rules. During the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he was involved in a helmet-to-helmet crash with WR Ja’Marr Chase in the fourth quarter. The Texans had been doing well so far, but the recent ruling from the NFL could affect their future games.

Denzel Perryman likely to appeal for reduced punishment

After the Bengals game, which the Texans won  30-27, bad news came for Perryman. He received a letter from the NFL Vice President of Football Operations, Jon Runyan. The letter stated, “You were involved in a play that the league considers a serious violation of the playing rules.” Ian Rapoport, an NFL Insider, took to X to share that Perryman will appeal against the suspension and is aiming for a lower sentence.

If the appeals committee decides to stick with the initial punishment, Perryman would return to the gridiron only on December 4. He will miss key games against the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Denver Broncos. But what chances does he have of returning sooner? And have there been instances in the past where a player was awarded a lower sentence after an appeal?

There are chances that he might get a lower sentence

Perryman had been fined $66,666 for unnecessary roughness in Week 2. But it seems he did not learn his lesson. So far this season, he has been involved in 6 such violations. Repeat offenders of the NFL’s safety and health policy are subject to greater punishment from the league. Former NFL players James Thrash and Derrick Brooks will hear Perryman’s appeal, on behalf of the NFL and NFLPA.

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There is hope for the repeat offender as in the case of Broncos safety Kareem Jackson. He had been awarded a four-game suspension earlier this year. After he appealed, his sentence was reduced to two games. Denzel is hoping for a similar outcome. Will his appeal result in him taking to the gridiron field sooner than expected? Only time will tell.

While some argue that the league should take stricter action against repeat offenders, some say that its punishments are too harsh. The NFL has to do a careful balance of ensuring that players learn their lesson while at the same time, not endangering their entire career.

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