La'Mical

Perine

A week after being released by the Chiefs, Perine now lands with the Steelers with a chance to make the roster as added backfield depth. The fifth-year pro has a career rushing line of 94-340-2 in 17 career games and appeared in just three games for the Chiefs last season. With Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrell Patterson’s roles already in place for the season, Perine will likely be competing to be the fourth running back on the depth chart.

Perine appeared in three games for the Chiefs last season and drew the start in a meaningless Week 18 game, where he totaled 109 yards from scrimmage against the Chargers. It was the most run Perine had seen since 2020, and he failed to take a regular season snap in 2022. The former fourth-round pick will be 26 at the start of this season and has a career rushing line of 94-340-2. He could earn another chance to compete for a job this offseason, but he’s unlikely to offer much fantasy upside regardless of landing spot.

The Chiefs rested Isiah Pacheco (quad/shoulder) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire with a postseason spot locked up. That gave Perine a workhorse role against LA, with CEH seeing just two carries on the day. Perine won’t be fantasy viable in the postseason.

Rapoport noted that Pacheco could still be active as an emergency option. The news doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Pacheco has been banged up for a few weeks and the Chiefs are already locked into the No. 3 seed. With nothing to play for this week, Patrick Mahomes is being rested with plenty of other injured Chiefs have already been ruled out. Clyde Edwards-Helaire will get the start, but we could also see plenty of La’Mical Perine. Both players are risky bets for DFS lineups this week.

Perine’s elevation is of particular intrigue as Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been dealing with an illness. That illness now appears likely to keep him out for Week 2 considering the context. It could mean more early-down work for Isiah Pacheco in a thinned two-man backfield for the Chiefs.

Prince ran and jumped his way into the hearts of fantasy managers earlier this offseason, only to fade away in camp/the preseason. The former Tulsa running back faced an uphill battle to crack a running back room that features Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Jerick McKinnon and is now on the outside looking in. There’s a chance Prince clears waivers and ends up back on the Chiefs’ practice squad in the coming days. In addition to Prince, the Chiefs also released/waived DE Joshua Kaindoh, DT Phil Hoskins, S Deon Bush, DT Danny Shelton, CB Reese Taylor, CB Ekow Boye-Doe, LB Cole Christiansen, S Anthony Cook, QB Shane Buechele, QB Chris Oladokun, OL Sebastian Gutierrez, DT Daniel Wise, CB Kahlef Hailassie, RB La’Michal Perine, C Austin Reiter, and TE Kendall Blanton.

He was joined by (deep breath): Tevin Coleman, Nate McCrary, Abram Smith, La’Mical Perine, Godwin Igwebuike, and Marlon Mack. Sources have told us that LaMichael James was unavailable. The 49ers seem likely to add someone to their backfield mix behind Jeff Wilson while Elijah Mitchell recovers from his injury, and whoever that back is will have some break-in-case-of-emergency fantasy value in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

Perine was a fourth-round pick at No. 120 overall back in 2020 but carried the ball just 72 times across two seasons, spanning 14 games, for the Jets. His carries produced 263 yards (3.7 YPC) and two touchdowns. Perine is still just 24 years old.

Austin Walter was ruled out early because of an illness, paving the way for Perine to get some work. At least one of Walter, Tevin Coleman (concussion), or Michael Carter (ankle, IR) will be back for Week 15, meaning Perine’s time in the sun will likely be short-lived.

Austin Walter was elevated from the practice squad again this week. He rushed nine times and scored once in Week 12. Once an interesting dynasty stash, Perine will likely be looking for a new team this offseason.