2. LB Troy Dye
The veteran linebacker steps into a big spot as he will likely step in as the starter in the middle of the Chargers defense.
The NFL announced Monday that Denzel Perryman has been suspended for two games after he was called for unnecessary roughness in Sunday’s win over the Cowboys. Perryman’s appeal was denied on Wednesday.
This means Dye will see his defensive role increase and be among the focal points at linebacker next to Daiyan Henley.
Dye has played 14 games this year, including starting five of them when Perryman was on Injured Reserve, logging 55 total tackles, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a sack.
He has become a valuable member for the unit and will be leaned upon for the final stretch of the regular season.
“We’ve won a lot of games the last couple of years and key sequences in the season where Troy has been out MIKE linebacker,” Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter said. “There was a stretch there last year where he did it, played really well, won some key games.
“He played probably the first five games of the year, DP went out pretty quickly in the Chiefs game in the first game of the year and Troy played really well then,” Minter added.
Dye started five games at linebacker for the Chargers last season as well and has proven to be able to slot in when needed.
Having already set a career-high for defensive snaps in a season, the 29-year-old is looking forward to another opportunity to make an impact.
“I prepare like I’m going to be playing every snap,” Dye said this week. “That’s kind of what you have to do survive in this league. Anything can happen during the game so you ultimately have to be prepared to play at a high level if your number gets called.
Dye later added: “I’m going to go out there and prepare and try to fill the role the right way.”
