The Kansas City Chiefs made a minor roster move on Friday afternoon to adjust the offseason roster with the release of running back La'Mical Perine, per NFL reporter Aaron Wilson.
Perine has been with the Chiefs for nearly 18 months, since signing a reserve/futures deal with the team back in January, 2023. He failed to make the team's active roster last year coming out of training camp, but he earned a spot on the team's practice squad and was eventually promoted to the active roster in December and played in three games.
The Chiefs have decided to clarify the picture at running back a bit more with the release of La'Mical Perine.
Coming into the '24 season, Perine looked like a decent bet for more playing time given the Chiefs' lack of movement at the running back position. The team has allowed Jerick McKinnon to remain a free agent and only brought back Clyde Edwards-Helaire without signing any further help in free agency despite a loaded pool of veteran talent. The Chiefs also let a full draft class go by without using a pick on the backfield as well.
Perine originally entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the New York Jets as a prospect out of Florida. A high ankle sprain hindered his first season with the Jets as a rotational back and from there, he fell out of favor with the coaching staff. He ultimately was given his release shortly before the '22 campaign.
Without Perine in the mix, the Chiefs will now turn to Keaontay Ingram and Deneric Prince as holdovers to compete with new undrafted free agents like Carson Steele and Emani Bailey. International signing Louis Rees-Zammit is also in the mix of competitors for reps in offseason training activities for K.C.
Last season, Perine had 22 rushes for 77 yards to go with 3 more catches for 33 yards for the Chiefs.