Samaje Perine

Fantasy News

• Bengals' Samaje Perine: Reunion with Cincinnati on tap

  Rotowire Mar 10, 2025

  The Bengals are slated to sign Perine to a two-year contract worth up to $3.8 million, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Perine gets a chance to return to Cincinnati, where he played from 2020-22. The veteran pass-catching specialist figures to operate primarily as a change-of-pace option with the Bengals, with Chase Brown (ankle) standing atop the depth chart after a breakout 2024 campaign, and Zack Moss (neck) under contract for one more season. Across 17 regular-season games with the Chiefs in 2024, Perine rushed 20 times for 92 yards and a touchdown, while also securing 28 catches of 35 targets for 322 yards and a touchdown.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Works as pass-catching back in 2024

  Rotowire Feb 13, 2025

  Perine rushed 20 times for 92 yards and a touchdown in 17 games during the 2024 regular season, adding 28 catches for 322 yards and a touchdown on 35 targets. Of Perine's 20 carries during the regular season, 11 came in a two-week stretch in Weeks 3 and 4. He contributed a little bit in the playoffs with a carry for eight yards in the Super Bowl and a catch for 17 yards against the Bills in the AFC Championship Game, but most of his extended work came while Isiah Pacheco was sidelined early in the year due to a rib injury. Perine still has proven to be a reliable pass catcher but hasn't graded out particularly well as a pass blocker in the last couple of campaigns, per PFF. He'll enter the 2025 offseason as an unrestricted free agent following his one-year deal with the Chiefs and will compete with others on the market and a strong rookie running back crop for a backup job next fall.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Brief appearance in Week 18

  Rotowire Jan 6, 2025

  Perine rushed the ball one time for one yard in Sunday's 38-0 loss to the Broncos. He added one reception on one target for 13 yards. Perine drew both of his touches on one offensive possession in the second quarter, with Carson Steele otherwise handling the workload out of the backfield. Perine has served a minimal role in the Kansas City offense throughout the season, and that should continue during the team's postseason run.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Four touches in Wednesday's win

  Rotowire Dec 27, 2024

  Perine rushed twice for nine yards and caught both of his targets for 20 yards in Wednesday's 29-10 win over the Steelers. Perine's 19 percent snap share on offense was right in line with the previous week's usage, as he's limited to certain passing situations. The veteran running back could see a bigger role in Week 18 against the Broncos if Isiah Pacheco (ribs) and Kareem Hunt are rested.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Three catches in Week 16

  Rotowire Dec 22, 2024

  Perine didn't log a carry while catching all three of his targets for 50 yards in Saturday's 27-19 win over the Texans. Perine made his biggest impact in the passing game, as usual, producing a season-high 50 receiving yards in the win. The running back played just 13 offensive snaps, his lowest total since Week 10, as both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are healthy and garnering touches out of the backfield. Perine has turned 17 carries into 82 yards and a touchdown while adding 25 receptions for 289 yards and a score over 15 games in 2024.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Tallies two touches versus Browns

  Rotowire Dec 17, 2024

  Perine notched one rush for 11 yards and reeled in his only target for 23 yards during Sunday's 21-7 win versus the Browns. Perine hasn't amassed more than two touches in any of the last three weeks, which isn't a major surprise with Isiah Pacheco back in the fold atop the depth chart and Kareem Hunt also operating ahead of him. The veteran will continue to provide some depth in the Chiefs' backfield, but it's unlikely he'll supply fantasy-relevant weeks as long as the two ahead of him on the depth chart remain available.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Minimal work against Chargers

  Rotowire Dec 10, 2024

  Perine totaled one rush for three yards and caught one of two targets for 16 yards during Sunday's 19-17 win versus the Chargers. Perine's role hasn't changed much despite the return of Isiah Pacheco from injured reserve before Week 13, as he's totaled 32 offensive snaps and three touches over the last two weeks, which represents a slight downgrade from the 3.1 touches per game he averaged prior to Pacheco's return. He should continue to hold a minor role in the offense but seems unlikely to register on the fantasy radar unless injuries strike again in the Kansas City backfield.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Tallies three touches in Week 12

  Rotowire Nov 26, 2024

  Perine totaled one carry for 13 yards and hauled in both of his targets for 11 yards during Sunday's 30-27 victory against the Panthers. Perine continues to serve a purpose as a receiver out of the backfield for the Chiefs, and he logged a carry Sunday for the first time since Week 13. However, his work amounted to just three total touches for 24 yards, aside from the 104 yards he racked up as a kick returner. He could continue to serve a role in the return game moving forward, especially with Isiah Pacheco's (ankle) impending return presumably siphoning away more of Perine's backfield reps.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Claims two passes versus bills

  Rotowire Nov 19, 2024

  Perine didn't tally a carry but reeled in two of his four targets for eight yards during Sunday's 30-21 defeat versus Buffalo. Perine nabbed double-digit snaps (11) again Sunday, but his string of eight consecutive games reaching that plateau may end in Week 12 with Isaiah Pacheco (ankle) primed to make his return to the gridiron. Assuming that occurs, Pacheco and Kareem Hunt should take hold of the vast majority of snaps, leaving Perine and Carson Steele with minimal opportunities moving forward.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Posts pair of grabs versus Broncos

  Rotowire Nov 12, 2024

  Perine didn't tally a carry but reeled in both of his targets for 37 yards during Sunday's 16-14 victory over the Broncos. While Perine saw limited action (16 snaps) on offense, he made a notable play, scampering for 35 yards on one of his two receptions in a drive that ended up with a field goal. Even so, he's hardly producing enough weekly to warrant a look in fantasy leagues, especially with Isiah Pacheco on the cusp of a return to the playing field. Once Pacheco returns, Perine would presumably drop to third on the depth chart behind Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, further diminishing his fantasy value.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Sleeper RBs

  Rotowire Nov 8, 2024

  Perine could be a desperation play in deeper leagues in Week 10, given the matchup against the Broncos. Remember, Denver cut Perine this season before he ended up in Kansas City, so there's a revenge game narrative for him in this game. It helps that he just caught four passes for 25 yards and a touchdown on five targets against Tampa Bay in Week 9, and his targets and receptions were a season-high. If you need help at running back, Perine could be a flex option in deeper formats.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Notches two receptions in Week 8

  Rotowire Oct 29, 2024

  Perine hauled in both of his targets for 30 yards during Sunday's 27-20 win over Las Vegas. On a positive note, Perine compiled a pair of catches in the first half of the contest. On a negative one, he didn't tally another in the second half and finished the day with just 30 total yards. He also recovered a fumble by tight end Travis Kelce, but Perine saw the field on just 31 percent of offensive snaps. That still ranked second on the team to Kareem Hunt (58 percent) and well ahead of Carson Steele (11 percent), but Perine's minimal involvement leaves him off the fantasy radar in most leagues, especially with Isiah Pacheco potentially returning within the next month based on his initial timetable.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Tallies one touch on MNF

  Rotowire Oct 8, 2024

  Perine did not receive a carry but gathered in one of his two targets for 24 yards during Monday's 26-13 victory versus the Saints. Perine played the second-most snaps (21) among the Chiefs' backs in Monday's contest, but that was still less than half of Kareem Hunt's 53 snaps and just five more than Carson Steele, who tallied four more touches. Perine sees some work on passing downs, but that could be short-lived, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire potentially returning after the bye week.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Totals five carries versus Saints

  Rotowire Oct 1, 2024

  Perine compiled five carries for 14 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 17-10 win versus the Chargers. An early Carson Steele fumble likely shifted the workloads in the running back room Sunday, resulting in Kareem Hunt leading the way with 14 carries and Perine claiming five. Even if Steele has played his way out of some snaps, Hunt remains ahead of Perine in the pecking order, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) is expected back in Week 5, so there isn't a ton to like about Perine's fantasy prospects moving forward.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Gets nine touches with Pacheco hurt

  Rotowire Sep 22, 2024

  Perine rushed six times for 25 yards while catching three of four targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 22-17 win over the Falcons. Perine played second fiddle to Carson Steele (17 carries for 72 yards) in Kansas City's first game without Isiah Pacheco (fibula), who is expected to be out for six-to-eight weeks. While Perine has carved out some utility in passing situations, he remains an afterthought in the game plan, and Kansas City's backfield could get more crowded in the coming weeks with Kareem Hunt having joined the practice squad Tuesday and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) eligible to come off the reserve/non-football illness list Week 5. Perine will likely maintain his spot as a change-of-pace option against the Chargers in Week 4.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Week 3 Adds (RB Preview)

  Rotowire Sep 17, 2024

  Perine is likely just a spoiler for Carson Steele, handling the majority of passing downs and a handful of carries. But Steele is a rookie and has already fumbled once, so there is upside beyond that for the veteran. I will be looking to spend 5-10% of my FAB on Perine on the hope that he receives a bigger share of the load.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Opportunities opening up

  Rotowire Sep 16, 2024

  Perine played nine of Kansas City's 65 offensive snaps and finished with one reception for three yards on his lone target in Sunday's 26-25 win over the Bengals. Perine has now logged single-digit snap counts in each of his first two games with Kansas City, but he could be headed for more playing time with Isiah Pacheco (fibula/ankle) likely to land on injured reserve after getting hurt in Sunday's win, per Charles Goldman of AToZSports.com. Undrafted rookie Carson Steele (seven carries for 24 yards in Week 2) could be first in line for early-down work, but Perine should at least settle in as the team's preferred option on passing downs. Since Steele and Perine are the only healthy backs on the active roster at the moment while Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) is on the reserve/non-football illness list, Kansas City will likely look outside the organization for backfield depth before their next game Sunday in Atlanta.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Week 2 Waiver Priority List

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2024

  Perine didn't do much in Week 1 against the Ravens with one catch for 10 yards on two targets, but I expect his role to expand moving forward. He could see more action on passing downs for the Chiefs, and he's not a bad stash candidate in PPR. Perine is worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Sparsely plays in Kansas City debut

  Rotowire Sep 6, 2024

  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. 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.

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• Chiefs' Samaje Perine: Week 1 Waiver Priority List

  Rotowire Sep 3, 2024

  Perine signed with the Chiefs after getting cut by the Broncos, and he could be the third-down back in Kansas City. It helps Perine that Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) is on injured reserve, and the Chiefs have little proven depth behind Isiah Pacheco with only undrafted rookie Carson Steele. Perine also could be the preferred handcuff for Pacheco early in the year.

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