SAMAJE PERINE NEWS

Sparsely plays in Kansas City debut Perine secured one of two targets for 10 yards during Thursday's 27-20 win over the Ravens. He did not log a rushing attempt.

Impact Perine, who signed with the Chiefs just over a week and a half ago, played eight offensive snaps in his team debut, an indication that he hasn't yet fully acclimated to coach Andy Reid's offensive scheme. Still, the one target Perine failed to haul in seemed like a hint of better things to come. If he'd secured that short dump-off from Patrick Mahomes in the third quarter, there was only open field standing between Perine and a touchdown. The pass-catching specialist will work to increase his involvement behind Isaiah Pacheco versus the Bengals in Week 2.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs crafting role for running back Samaje Perine a week into his Kansas City tenure Samaje Perine was released by the Denver Broncos last week. The Chiefs are already making a role for him.

SEPTEMBER 4 • KANSASCITY.COM

Set for role behind Pacheco As the Thursday night's game against the Ravens approaches, Perine is in line to work in a complementary role behind lead back Isiah Pacheco, Adam Teicher of ESPN reports.

Impact Though Perine only signed with the Chiefs this past Wednesday, he should be in the mix for work behind Pacheco out of the gate this season along with rookie Carson Steele, given that Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been placed on the non-football illness list and will miss at least four games. It remains to be seen what sort of workload Perine will see versus Baltimore, but in the coming weeks the 28-year-old may be able to garner enough touches to merit lineup consideration in deeper formats.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

5 Running Back PPR Sleepers in 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts (Perine, McLaughlin Offering Late-Round Value) When the Denver Broncos released Samaje Perine last week, it suddenly boosted the value of quite a few runners in later rounds. Suddenly, Pe...

SEPTEMBER 2 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Will suit up Week 1 Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Sunday that Perine will be available for the team's regular-season opener versus Baltimore on Thursday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Impact Perine didn't sign with the Chiefs until this past Wednesday, but that won't prevent him from being able to play in Kansas City's first game of the campaign. The veteran running back may not be fully up to speed on the playbook and thus could be held to limited work, and even when he's fully familiar with the team's system it's not clear how much work he'll log behind starting running back Isiah Pacheco. In addition to Perine, Kansas City's backup RBs include Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) and intriguing rookie Carson Steele.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs Sign RB Samaje Perine Ahead of Matchup with Ravens The Kansas City Chiefs are still tweaking the roster a bit ahead of their Thursday Night Football matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

AUGUST 30 • SUNHERALD.COM

Could play in Week 1 GM Brett Veach relayed Thursday that he hopes Perine will be able to play in next week's season opener against the Ravens, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The Chiefs kick off their 2024 campaign next Thursday, which shortens the amount of time the just-added Perine will have to get up to speed with the team's offense ahead of Week 1. However, as the season progresses it's plausible that the 28-year-old will have a chance to earn a key complementary role for his new team behind top back Isiah Pacheco.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Intriguing landing spot with Chiefs Perine is slated to sign with Kansas City on Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.

Impact Perine, who was released as one of Denver's roster cuts Tuesday, is a proven pass-catcher and now lands in what projects to be one of the NFL's top-scoring offenses. Isiah Pacheco is firmly established atop the Chiefs' depth chart, but Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) and Carson Steele are surmountable competition for a depth role. Perine secured a career-high 50of 56 passes for 455 yards across 17 regular-season games with the Broncos last season, in addition to 53 carries for 238 rushing yards and one score.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Broncos Perine was released by the Broncos on Tuesday.

Impact It was reported Monday that the Broncos planned to release Perine if they were unable to trade him, and now the running back will have an opportunity to secure a depth role elsewhere. Chances are, the 28-year-old will find a new team in short order, though it remains to be seen if he'll land in a spot that will present him with a clear path to steady backfield touches.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos release veteran running back Samaje Perine The Broncos released veteran running back Samaje Perine on Tuesday.

AUGUST 27 • USATODAY.COM

Broncos Mulling Samaje Perine Trade Ahead of Season Due to Crowded RB Room Samaje Perine could be on the move.

AUGUST 26 • SUNHERALD.COM

In line to be cut The Broncos are slated to release or trade Perine prior to Tuesday's roster cuts deadline, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Perine is the odd man out in Denver's backfield, with all of Javonte Freeman, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime having made strong cases for a role this preseason. The eight-year veteran could garner some interest on the trade market for teams in need of proven depth, especially given his skills in pass protection and as a receiver. As a result of Perine's non-guaranteed $3 million salary this season, however, teams could opt to simply wait for his release by the Broncos and then negotiate for a lower contract total.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Handle five carries Perine rushed five times for 16 yards and caught one of his two targets for five yards in Sunday's 27-2 preseason win over the Packers.

Impact After failing to record a single rush or reception in the Broncos' first preseason game, Perine touched the ball on six of his 11 offensive snaps in the contest. The veteran running back remains in a crowded running back room, competing with presumed starter Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime for playing time in the 2024 campaign. As the preseason nears its end, Perine will look to hold on to his roster spot in Denver. If he does, the 28-year-old would likely be the favorite to handle passing-down work.

AUGUST 20 • ROTOWIRE

Targeted once in win Perine failed to record a carry or reel in his lone target in Sunday's 34-30 preseason win over the Colts.

Impact Perine was a non-factor in Denver's first preseason game, playing just 16 percent of the team's offensive snaps in the contest. The veteran did, however, bobble his one target right into an interception for the Colts. Heading into training camp, there was speculation that the 28-year-old could end up being a cap casualty, as he is competing for a roster spot in a crowded running back room with Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime. Perine's skills as a pass catcher and in pass protection, paired with his $3 million non-guaranteed salary should help his cause for making the roster, though the running back situation in Denver is one to monitor as the 2024 campaign approaches.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Potential cap casualty Perine is competing for a role in Denver's backfield but could end up being a cap casualty if the Broncos are satisfied with their reserve options behind starter Javonte Williams,...

Impact Perine has a non-guaranteed $3 million salary for the second season of his two-year contract. That's a reasonable number for someone who offers good pass protection and reliable hands while also playing special teams, but the Broncos could nonetheless cut or trade Perine if they feel comfortable with Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson or Tyler Badie as a passing-down specialist. None of those other backs can match Perine for size, blocking or experience, but they would probably have an edge over him in terms of speed and quickness. Meanwhile, Williams and fifth-round pick Audric Estime are more likely to get playing time on early downs.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in loss Perine rushed six times for 37 yards and caught his lone target for 11 yards in Saturday's 42-17 loss to the Lions.

Impact Perine operated as the primary backup to Javonte Williams on Saturday, playing 39 percent of the Broncos' offensive snaps while Williams handled a 48 percent snap share. The 28-year-old Perine was more efficient, gaining 48 yards from scrimmage on seven touches, while Williams recorded 20 yards on 14 touches. With that said, Perine's slightly elevated usage in Week 15 was likely due to game script, as the Broncos were playing from behind throughout the game. The veteran will be hard to trust for fantasy purposes as long as Williams can stay healthy. The Broncos host the Patriots in Week 16.

DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Active as expected Week 14 Perine (knee) is

Impact The veteran complementary back was reported to be in line to suit up Sunday, and his availability is now confirmed. Perine will therefore be available to handle his usual solid No. 2 role alongside top back Javonte Williams against a Chargers defense that's allowed 149 rushing yards per contest in the last three games, along with the second-most receptions (75) to running backs on the season.

DECEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

As I Saw It: Dave Logan highlights Samaje Perine's impressive carry Watch as Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan calls running back Samaje Perine's impressive carry that set up a Denver score in the third quarter...

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

Scores first TD in 2023 Perine carried the ball seven times for 55 yards and a touchdown and caught his only target for 11 yards in Sunday's 29-12 win over the Browns.

Impact Javonte Williams left the game briefly on the Broncos' opening drive to be checked out for a neck injury, and Perine took advantage by scoring his first TD of the season on a three-yard plunge. Williams was back in on the next possession, but Perine continued to make an impact when he had the ball in his hands, with three of his subsequent touches going for more than 10 yards. It's been a disappointing first season in Denver for the 28-year-old back, who got into the end zone six times with the Bengals in 2022, but he's topped 60 scrimmage yards in back-to-back contests as he reclaims the No. 2 RB role from rookie Jaleel McLaughlin.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

RB Samaje Perine breaks off a 25-yard run against Cleveland | Broncos vs. Browns Running back Samaje Perine bursts through the Browns' defense for a 25-yard run.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

Samaje Perine punctuates Broncos opening drive with 3-yard TD run Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine scores a 3-yard rushing touchdown against the Cleveland Browns on his teams opening drive which we...

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • NFL.COM

RB Samaje Perine finishes Broncos' opening drive with 3-yard TD run | Broncos vs. Browns Running back Samaje Perine scores his first rushing touchdown of the season on the Broncos' opening drive against the Cleveland Browns.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

How Samaje Perine and Broncos' free-agent class have helped spark winning turnaround Denver gave out a league-high $259.5 million in total contracts to free agents this offseason. The investment now appears to be paying off.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Perfect receiving night Perine gained seven yards on his lone rush attempt while catching all seven of his targets for 60 yards in Sunday's 21-20 win over Minnesota.

Impact Perine finished with one carry for the third consecutive week, but it was his work as a receiver that made an impact in the box score. The veteran backup racked up more than half of his production on the Broncos' game-winning touchdown drive in the closing moments of Sunday's win. Perine was not the beneficiary of the aforementioned score, but he strung together chunks of yardage on four consecutive receptions that helped bring Denver within striking distance of Minnesota's goal line. Javonte Williams is still the primary back heading into next Sunday's matchup against Cleveland, leaving Perine for those in deeper or PPR formats.

NOVEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sees work as pass catcher Perine rushed the ball one time for eight yards in Monday's 24-22 win over the Bills. He added three receptions for 35 yards.

Impact Perine's role as a rusher remained minimal, as he now has two or fewer rushes in four consecutive games. Instead, he was primarily on the field in passing scenarios and managed to finish tied for second on the team in receiving yards. Perine serves a valuable role for the Denver offense due to his work as a pass blocker, but that currently translates to little fantasy value.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE