Raiders trade for linebacker Denzel Perryman

He played for Gus Bradley with Chargers

That didn’t take long.

Wednesday afternoon, Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden said the team was looking outside of the organization to help their injury-depleted linebacker crew. Four hours later, the team swung a trade for linebacker Denzel Perryman with the Carolina Panthers.

The deal is pending a passed physical for Perryman, who has been banged up in Carolina’s training camp. The Raiders will send their sixth-round draft pick to the Panthers and will receive Carolina’s seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft.

So, basically, the Raiders get some familiar relief at the position and the Panthers get a little something for a player who may not have made the roster. Perryman signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Panthers this offseason, but he hadn’t done much in training camp. He will cost about $2 million this year. This addition may take Las Vegas out of the market for linebacker K.J. Wright, who has been connected to the team for weeks, but might be too pricey.

Perryman spent his first six NFL seasons with the Chargers. and the last four under new Las Vegas defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. So, clearly, the Raiders felt comfortable making this addition.

Perryman is a talented player, but he has had trouble staying healthy. He has never played a NFL full season. He has missed 27 games in his career. He played 13 games last season and started six games.

Starting linebacker Nicholas Morrow may miss time during the regular season with a foot injury. Backup linebacker Javin White is dealing with a knee injury. Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski may return next week and linebacker Darron Lee will miss the season on the injured reserve.

So, the need for Perryman was great. He could start early in the season and probably be a rotational player when Las Vegas is healthy at the position.