When Denzel Perryman saw Tua Tagovailoa drop back on the Miami Dolphins’ first play from scrimmage, he froze.
The Houston Texans linebacker was going through his keys as he recognized it was play-action.
“I kind of froze for a second, to be honest with you,” Perryman told reporters after the 28-3 loss Aug. 19. “I was reading the quarterback and got in the window, and I just had a feel for it.”
The former Pro Bowler nabbed the Texans’ first takeaway of the preseason and gave Houston favorable field position at the 7-yard line.
While Perryman was jubilant with his teammates after the turnover, the nine-year veteran was enjoying the moment as soon as he made the pick.
Said Perryman: “Honestly, when I catch an interception, I’ll be laughing in my helmet. A lot of people don’t know that I’ll be laughing. Number one, I caught the ball. I’m bound to drop the ball, to be honest with you. So, when I catch an interception, I start laughing. At that point, I’m playing a game like a little kid.”
Perryman has five career interceptions with a career-high two last season with the Las Vegas Raiders. Houston is hopeful Perryman will have more opportunities to laugh in 2023.
