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.

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.