Hubbry Logo
Samaje PerineSamaje PerineMain
Open search
Samaje Perine
Community hub
Samaje Perine
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Samaje Perine
Samaje Perine
Samaje Perine
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Samaje Perine (/səˈmɑːdʒeɪ ˈpiːraɪn/ sə-MAH-jay PEE-ryne;[1] born September 16, 1995) is an American professional football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has also played for the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs.

Key Information

Perine currently holds the NCAA FBS record for most rushing yards in a single game, which he set as a true freshman in 2014 by rushing for 427 yards against Kansas.

Early life

[edit]

Perine was born and raised in Jackson, Alabama, but later moved with his family to Pflugerville, Texas, where he attended Hendrickson High School as a member of their football and track and field teams.[2][3] He was a three-year starter at running back for the Hendrickson Hawks football team. He rushed for 1,993 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. In his final year, he rushed for 1,492 yards and 12 touchdowns.[4]

In track & field, Perine competed in sprints and jumps. At the 2011 Manor Relay, he earned first-place finishes in both the triple jump (46 ft, 0.5 in) and long jump (20 ft, 8 in) events, while also anchoring the 4 × 100 and 4 × 200 relay squads, helping lead them to victory.[5] He recorded a personal-best time of 11.37 seconds in the 100-meter dash in 2011.[6]

Perine was ranked as a four-star recruit and the No. 13 running back in the nation by Rivals.com. In March 2013, he committed to the University of Oklahoma to play college football.[7][8] He also had offers from Alabama, Nebraska, TCU, and Tennessee.[2]

College career

[edit]

Perine attended and played college football for the University of Oklahoma from 2014 to 2016.[9]

2014 season

[edit]

Perine saw immediate playing time as a freshman at Oklahoma in 2014.[10] In his first career game, he rushed for 77 yards on 13 carries with one touchdown in a victory over Louisiana Tech.[11] In his fourth game, he rushed 242 yards on 34 carries with four touchdowns.[12][13] He rushed for 200 yards a second time, gaining 213 on 25 carries along with three touchdowns against Texas Tech on November 15.[14] Perine rushed for 427 yards on 34 rushes along with five touchdowns in a victory over Kansas, breaking the Football Bowl Subdivision single game rushing record set by Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon just a week earlier.[15][16][17] He finished his freshman season with 1,713 rushing yards on 263 carries with 21 touchdowns.[18]

2015 season

[edit]

Perine started the 2015 season with 33 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in a victory over the Akron Zips.[19] In the next game, a 2OT win over the #23 Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium, he had 78 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown.[20] In the following game against Tulsa, he had 152 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.[21] On October 24, against Texas Tech, he had a season-high 201 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.[22] He followed that up with 90 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against Kansas in the next game.[23] On November 14, against Baylor, he had 166 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[24] He followed that performance up with 188 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against TCU.[25] In the annual rivalry game against Oklahoma State, he had 131 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[26] Oklahoma qualified for the College Football Playoff in the 2015 season. They faced off against Clemson in the National Semifinals. In the 37–17 loss in the Orange Bowl, he had 58 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, two receptions, and 23 receiving yards.[27] Overall, in the 2015 season, he finished with 1,349 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 15 receptions, 107 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.[28]

2016 season

[edit]

On October 1, in a win over TCU, Perine had 214 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[29] On November 12, against Baylor, he had 100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[30] In the following game at West Virginia, he had 160 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[31] On December 3, he had 239 rushing yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma State.[32] He broke the school career rushing yard record on January 2, 2017, with 86 rushing yards and a touchdown against Auburn at the Allstate Sugar Bowl passing Billy Sims with a total of 4,122 yards.[33][34] He finished the 2016 season with 1,060 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 10 receptions, 106 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.[35] After the season, Perine decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2017 NFL draft.[36]

College statistics

[edit]
Season Team Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds TD
2014 Oklahoma 13 8 263 1,713 6.5 66 21 15 108 0
2015 Oklahoma 13 13 226 1,349 6.0 72 16 15 107 1
2016 Oklahoma 10 9 196 1,060 5.4 66 12 10 106 1
Total 36 30 685 4,122 6.0 72 49 40 321 2

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+5⁄8 in
(1.79 m)		 233 lb
(106 kg)		 30+3⁄8 in
(0.77 m)		 10 in
(0.25 m)		 4.65 s 1.62 s 2.70 s 4.37 s 7.26 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)		 9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)		 30 reps
All values from NFL Combine[37][38]

Washington Redskins

[edit]
Perine playing against the Oakland Raiders in his rookie year.

The Washington Redskins selected Perine in the fourth round (114th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.[39] He was the ninth running back selected in that year's draft.[40] On May 11, 2017, Perine signed a four-year, $3.05 million contract with the team.[41]

Perine joined a committee backfield of Chris Thompson, Robert Kelley, and Mack Brown. After the two starters combined for 34 yards in Week 1, Perine debuted September 17 against the Los Angeles Rams with 21 rushes for 67 yards.[42] Despite being granted the majority of the team's rushes, he had fewer yards than either Thompson (78) or Kelley (77).[43] In Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders, he again led the team in carries with 19 but for only 49 yards, and was moved back into a supporting role. Perine collected just 59 rushing yards total in Weeks 4–9, though he did pick up his first career touchdown on a three-yard reception from Kirk Cousins against San Francisco in Week 6.[44]

After nine rushes for 35 yards and a 25-yard reception in Week 9, Perine moved back to starting following injuries to both Thompson and Kelley.[45] He had success in Week 10 with 23 rushes for 117 yards, as well as his first career rushing touchdown against the New Orleans Saints,[46] marking the first 100-yard rushing game for the Redskins of the season. He followed this up the following week with 24 rushes for 100 yards against the New York Giants, marking first Redskin with consecutive yard games of over 100 yards since Alfred Morris in 2013.[47][48] Overall, he finished his rookie season with 603 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with 22 receptions for 182 yards and a receiving touchdown.[49]

In a backfield where new arrival Adrian Peterson recorded most of the carries, Perine had eight carries for 32 yards in five games in the 2018 season.[50][51] Perine was waived prior to the 2019 regular season on August 31.[52]

Cincinnati Bengals (first stint)

[edit]

On September 1, 2019, Perine was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.[53] He was waived on October 17,[54] but re-signed to the team's practice squad the following day.[55]

Miami Dolphins

[edit]

On December 24, 2019, Perine was signed by the Miami Dolphins off the Bengals practice squad.[56] He was waived on April 26, 2020.[57]

Cincinnati Bengals (second stint)

[edit]

On April 28, 2020, Perine was claimed off waivers by the Bengals.[58] In Week 8 of the 2020 season, against the Tennessee Titans, he scored his first touchdown since Week 11 of the 2017 season.[59] In Week 16, against the Houston Texans, he had 13 carries for 95 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 37–31 victory.[60] Perine finished the season with 63 rushes for 301 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He re-signed on a two-year contract with the Bengals on March 24, 2021.[61]

In the 2021 season, Perine had a backup role to former Oklahoma teammate Joe Mixon. He finished with 55 carries for 246 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with 27 receptions for 196 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[62] In the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had a 41-yard touchdown reception from Joe Burrow in the second quarter. The Bengals were down 21–3 at the time of the touchdown and it helped begin a comeback victory to advance to the Super Bowl.[63] In Super Bowl LVI, Perine recorded two carries, each for no gain, in the 23–20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The 2022 season followed with Perine continuing to back up Mixon, though after he sustained a concussion during the Week 11 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Perine would fill in as starter for the next two weeks.[64] He finished with 394 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, and a career high 287 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.[65]

Denver Broncos

[edit]

On March 16, 2023, the Denver Broncos signed Perine to a two-year contract.[66] In the 2023 season, Perine appeared in 17 games and started once. He finished with 53 carries for 238 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go with 50 receptions for 455 receiving yards.[67] On August 27, 2024, the Broncos released Perine.[68]

Kansas City Chiefs

[edit]

On August 28, 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Perine to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.[69] In the 2024 season, Perine had 20 carries for 92 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go with 28 receptions for 322 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[70] He played in Super Bowl LIX, recording one carry for eight yards in the 40–22 loss to the Eagles.[71]

Cincinnati Bengals (third stint)

[edit]

On March 13, 2025, Perine officially signed a two-year contract worth $3.8 million to return to the Cincinnati Bengals, his third stint with the franchise.[72] In Week 8 against the New York Jets, Perine rushed nine times for 94 yards and a touchdown, and also recorded one reception for six yards.[73] He finished the 2025 season with 84 carries for 382 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games and two starts.[74]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2017 WAS 16 8 175 603 3.4 30 1 24 22 182 8.3 25T 1 2 2
2018 WAS 5 0 8 32 4.0 11 0 4 3 5 1.7 8 0 0 0
2019 CIN 6 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
MIA 1 0 5 16 3.2 9 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2020 CIN 16 1 63 301 4.8 46 3 12 11 66 6.0 15 0 0 0
2021 CIN 16 0 55 246 4.5 46 1 31 27 196 7.3 23 1 0 0
2022 CIN 16 2 95 394 4.1 29 2 51 38 287 7.6 32 4 0 0
2023 DEN 17 1 50 231 4.5 24 1 56 50 455 9.2 29 0 3 2
2024 KC 17 0 20 92 4.6 13 1 35 28 322 11.5 36 1 0 0
2025 CIN 15 2 84 382 4.5 32 3 21 17 87 5.1 16 0 3 0
Career 125 14 558 2,304 4.1 46 12 234 196 1,600 8.2 36 7 8 4

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2021 CIN 4 0 3 2 0.7 2 0 4 47 11.8 41 1 0 0
2022 CIN 3 0 14 58 4.1 11 1 8 35 4.4 11 0 0 0
Career 7 0 17 60 3.5 11 1 12 82 6.8 41 1 0 0

Personal life

[edit]

During his time in high school and Oklahoma, Perine was noted for his acts of great physical strength, such as helping lift a car to help a fellow student who did not have a car jack in order to change a flat tire.[75] Jerry Schmidt, strength coach of the Sooners, stated that he could often out bench press most of the team's linemen, with his max being 440 lbs. Schmidt also noted that nobody else on the team was able to top Perine's max squat (540 lbs), power clean (380 lbs), or incline bench (315 lbs) numbers.[75][76]

Perine's cousin, La'Mical Perine, played running back for the Florida Gators and was selected by the New York Jets in 2020.[77] He is also a cousin of NFL linebacker Myles Jack.[78]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Samaje Perine

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Samaje Perine is an for the of the (). Born on September 16, 1995, in , and raised in , he stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds, known for his physical running style and versatility as a receiver. Perine played college football for the from 2014 to 2016, where he established himself as one of the program's most prolific rushers. During his sophomore season in 2014, he set the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision single-game rushing record with 427 yards and five touchdowns on 34 carries against , a mark that still stands. Over his college career, he amassed 685 carries for 4,122 yards and 49 rushing touchdowns, ranking fourth in Sooners history for rushing scores, fifth for carries, and sixth for all-purpose yards. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2014 and 2015, along with second-team accolades in 2016. Selected by the Washington Redskins (now ) in the fourth round (114th overall) of the , Perine began his professional career as a backup . He spent his first two seasons with Washington (2017–2018), appearing in 21 games with 138 carries for 498 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while also contributing 22 receptions for 193 yards. In 2019, he briefly played for the (one game) before joining the for six games, where he recorded 16 carries for 69 yards. Perine then spent three seasons with the Bengals (2020–2022), adding 189 carries for 671 yards and five touchdowns across 48 games, plus 53 receptions for 334 yards and one score, including a key role during their run to after the 2021 season. In 2023, he signed with the , appearing in 17 games with 54 carries for 168 yards and 20 receptions for 148 yards. The following year, Perine joined the , helping them secure the AFC Championship with contributions in the postseason, including key runs and catches in playoff games. He returned to the Bengals in 2025 as a ninth-year , where through nine games he has rushed 32 times for 198 yards and one touchdown, while adding receptions for further production. Throughout his NFL tenure with five teams—Washington, Miami, Cincinnati (multiple stints), Denver, and Kansas City—Perine has appeared in 119 regular-season games, accumulating 506 carries for 2,120 rushing yards (4.2 average) and 11 rushing touchdowns, plus 186 receptions for 1,543 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. His career highlights include his record-setting college performance and reliable role in high-stakes NFL games, particularly in the Bengals' and Chiefs' playoff pushes.

Early years

Early life

Samaje Perine was born on September 16, 1995, in Jackson, Alabama. He is the son of Sam Perine Sr. and Gloria Perine, who works as a Human Resources Business Partner at Apple in Austin, Texas. The Perine family has a strong tradition of names incorporating "Sam," including his father's name, his maternal grandfather, and his maternal uncle, which influenced the inclusion of "Samaje" as a unique variation for him. Growing up in Jackson, approximately 130 miles south of Tuscaloosa, the family were avid fans of the University of Alabama football program. At the age of eight, Perine's family relocated from to , where he spent the remainder of his childhood prior to high school. Shortly after the move, he began playing football in local leagues around the Austin area, marking his initial introduction to organized . This early involvement was shaped by familial encouragement and the vibrant youth football scene in , though he maintained his early fandom for .

High school career

Perine attended Hendrickson High School in , where he played football as a and linebacker. As a and , he began to show promise as a versatile athlete, contributing on both sides of the ball while also participating in events to build speed and endurance. However, his season in 2011 was cut short by a torn ACL and MCL in the final game, limiting his production but not his determination. Returning stronger in his junior year of 2012, Perine emerged as a dominant force, rushing for 2,017 yards and 15 touchdowns on just 246 carries, averaging over 8 yards per attempt and helping lead Hendrickson to a strong playoff push. His performance earned him recognition as one of Texas's top prospects, showcasing his power, vision, and ability to break tackles. In his senior season of , despite increased defensive attention, he rushed for 1,492 yards and 12 touchdowns, solidifying his status as a workhorse back capable of carrying the offense. Perine's high school exploits drew widespread recruiting interest, culminating in his status as a consensus four-star recruit, ranked as the No. 13 nationally and No. 21 overall player in by . He committed to the in March 2013, choosing the over scholarship offers from programs including , Baylor, , and TCU. His recruitment highlighted his blend of size, burst, and resilience, positioning him as a key addition to Oklahoma's backfield.

College career

2014 season

As a true freshman in 2014, Samaje Perine enrolled at the and quickly earned a spot in the rotation, initially serving as one of three primary backs alongside and . Despite his inexperience, Perine adapted to the college game's increased speed and complexity, contributing to a balanced rushing attack under new . Perine made his collegiate debut on August 30 against Louisiana Tech, where he led the in rushing with 13 carries for 77 yards and 1 , signaling his power-running style suited for Big 12 competition. His role remained as a backup through the early season, with limited carries in the next two games totaling 19 rushes for 100 yards, as Ford and Ross handled primary duties. However, Perine broke out in the Big 12 opener against on September 20, exploding for 34 carries, 242 rushing yards, and a career-high 4 s in a 45–33 victory, earning co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors. This performance marked his first 100-yard game and established him as a key complement to the backfield trio. Perine continued to split time as a backup to Ross and Ford but saw increasing opportunities in high-profile matchups. His most notable performance came on November 22 against , where he set the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision single-game rushing record with 34 carries for 427 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 44–7 victory amid rainy conditions, earning co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors again. Against Baylor on November 8, he had 5 carries for 21 yards. In the regular-season finale against rival Oklahoma State on December 6—a 38–35 Bedlam loss—Perine added 26 carries for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 9-yard scoring run that briefly gave the the lead. These efforts highlighted his growing reliability in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Over the season, Perine amassed 263 carries for 1,713 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns, numbers that ranked him among the nation's top freshmen and underscored his rapid adjustment to college football's demands. As a true freshman from Texas, he navigated the challenges of academic coursework, team dynamics, and the physical toll of a 13-game schedule while integrating into a veteran-led offense. Perine's production was instrumental in Oklahoma's 8–5 regular-season record, which earned them a berth in the Russell Athletic Bowl against Clemson on December 29. There, he started and rushed 23 times for 134 yards in a 40–6 defeat, though the Sooners' defense struggled against Clemson's balanced attack.

2015 season

In his sophomore season at the under head coach , Samaje Perine emerged as one of the primary running backs in a shared backfield with , taking on a starting role in an offense that transitioned toward a more pass-heavy air raid scheme led by . Perine started the year modestly, recording 33 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in the season opener against Akron, followed by 78 yards on 23 carries in a 31–24 victory over No. 23 . His performance elevated midseason, highlighted by a dominant outing against Tech on , where he rushed for a then-season-high 201 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries, powering a 63–27 win and earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors. This game underscored his big-play ability, as he broke tackles and averaged over 8 yards per carry in key moments. Against Baylor, he rushed for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns on 28 carries. Perine finished the 2015 season with 1,349 rushing yards on 226 carries (5.97 yards per carry) and 16 rushing touchdowns, adding 107 receiving yards on 15 catches with one receiving score for a team-leading 1,456 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns. His contributions were pivotal in 's 11–2 record, including an undefeated 8–0 mark in Big 12 play. In the against Oklahoma State on December 5, Perine rushed for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 carries, helping secure a 58–23 victory that clinched the conference title and a berth in the . However, in the semifinal against No. 1 Clemson on January 2, 2016, an ankle injury limited him to 58 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown in a 37–17 loss. For his efforts, Perine earned first-team All-Big 12 honors from the and league coaches, recognizing his versatility and power-running style that complemented the ' explosive offense. He also received the National Player of the Week after his Texas Tech performance, highlighting his impact as a physical, between-the-tackles runner capable of explosive gains.

2016 season

Entering his junior year, Samaje Perine was viewed as a dark horse contender for the , ranked among the top candidates in preseason analyses due to his previous production and potential in Oklahoma's high-powered offense. The season began with early challenges, as Perine suffered a shoulder in the opening loss to , limiting him to 31 rushing yards on 6 carries and contributing to a shared backfield workload with sophomore that affected his rhythm. He rebounded strongly thereafter, delivering consistent output amid the balanced rushing attack, including a standout 214-yard, two-touchdown performance on 35 carries in a 45-40 victory over that helped solidify his role as a leader in the offense. Perine concluded the regular season with 1,060 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 196 carries, providing reliable production despite the rotation with Mixon and contributing to 's 11-2 record, Big 12 Championship win over Oklahoma State, and a 35-19 victory over Auburn where he added 86 yards on 17 carries to break the school's career rushing record at 4,122 yards. His efforts earned him second-team All-Big 12 honors. Following the Sugar Bowl, Perine announced his decision to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft, capping a college career highlighted by his NCAA-record 427 rushing yards in a single game as a freshman—the highest single-game total in Oklahoma history.

Rushing statistics

YearTeamGamesCarriesYardsAverageTouchdowns
2014Oklahoma132631,7136.521
2015Oklahoma132261,3496.016
2016Oklahoma101961,0605.412
CareerOklahoma366854,1226.049
These statistics include bowl games, such as the (15 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD) and the (17 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD).

Receiving statistics

YearTeamGamesReceptionsYardsAverageTouchdowns
201413151087.20
201513151077.11
2016101010610.61
Career36403218.02
Receiving statistics also encompass bowl game performances. Perine accumulated 4,443 career all-purpose yards at Oklahoma, ranking sixth in program history. He recorded 8 fumbles during his college career. Perine holds the NCAA single-game rushing record with 427 yards against Kansas on November 22, 2014. In Oklahoma records, he ranks fourth in career rushing touchdowns (49), fifth in rushing attempts (685), and was the program's all-time leading rusher (4,122 yards) upon departing for the NFL in 2017.

Professional career

Washington (2017–2018)

Perine was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round (114th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft out of the University of Oklahoma. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3,059,781, including a signing bonus of $659,781. As a rookie in 2017, Perine served in a committee backfield behind starting running back Rob Kelley and third-down specialist Chris Thompson, appearing in all 16 games with eight starts. He recorded 175 carries for 603 rushing yards and one touchdown, along with 25 receptions for 165 yards and one receiving touchdown, while fumbling twice. Midway through the season, injuries to both Kelley (knee and ankle) and Thompson (leg) elevated Perine to the lead back role, where he rushed for a career-high 117 yards in a November game against the New Orleans Saints. The Redskins finished the year with a 7–9 record, missing the playoffs. In , Perine's opportunities diminished after drafted running back in the second round, positioning him lower on the depth chart. Fumbles during the preseason, including two lost in the final , raised concerns about his ball security and contributed to his reduced snaps. He appeared in only five games, totaling eight carries for 32 yards with no touchdowns. The team again ended with a 7–9 record under coach . Following the 2019 season, the franchise retired the "Redskins" name amid controversy, rebranding as the Washington Football Team in 2020 before becoming the in 2022.

First stint with Cincinnati Bengals (2019)

On September 1, 2019, the Cincinnati Bengals claimed running back Samaje Perine off waivers from the Washington Redskins following the final cuts of training camp. Perine joined the active roster as a depth option in the backfield during the first year of head coach Zac Taylor's tenure. Perine appeared in the Bengals' first six games of the 2019 season but received no offensive carries, reflecting his role as a reserve behind primary backs Joe Mixon (237 carries for 1,134 yards) and Giovani Bernard (100 carries for 437 yards). Instead, he focused on special teams duties, accumulating 104 snaps across kick coverage and punt units, where he recorded four tackles. His limited involvement aligned with the Bengals' rebuilding phase, as the team struggled offensively and finished the season with a league-worst 2–14 record. On October 17, 2019, the Bengals waived Perine to make room for , but re-signed him to the practice squad the next day. He remained there through the end of the regular season without further active roster elevation, providing depth without game appearances. On December 24, 2019, Perine was signed to the active roster of the , concluding his initial tenure with .

Miami Dolphins (2019)

Perine joined the ' in late 2019 after a brief tenure with the Bengals earlier that year, but was quickly signed to the active roster on , 2019, to bolster the position following an injury to starter . During his short stint with the Dolphins, Perine appeared in one game, the regular-season finale against the on December 29, 2019, where he recorded 5 carries for 16 yards but no receptions. He provided emergency depth behind Gaskin and contributed on special teams units, without recording a start. The Dolphins concluded the 2019 season with a 5–11 record under head coach , finishing third in the and out of playoff contention. Perine was waived by on April 27, 2020, as the team reshaped its backfield during offseason roster moves.

Second stint with (2020–2022)

On April 28, 2020, Perine was claimed off waivers by the Bengals following his release from , rejoining the team as a depth behind and . In the 2020 season, he appeared in all 16 games, rushing 63 times for 301 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 16 receptions for 159 yards. A highlight was his first NFL rushing touchdown on 12 carries for 32 yards in Week 8 against the . The Bengals finished 4–11–1, missing the playoffs. Perine re-signed with the Bengals on a two-year worth $3.3 million on March 24, 2021. In the 2021 season, he continued as a rotational back, appearing in all 16 games with 55 carries for 246 rushing yards and one rushing , plus 27 receptions for 196 yards and one receiving . His versatility shone in pass protection and third-down roles. The Bengals improved to 10–7, winning the and advancing to the . In the postseason, Perine contributed in the wild card win over the Raiders (4 carries, 17 yards; 1 reception, 4 yards), divisional round victory against the Titans (3 carries, 6 yards), and a pivotal 41-yard receiving in the against the Chiefs, helping secure a 27–24 overtime win and berth in . In the Super Bowl loss to the , he had 2 carries for 4 yards and 1 reception for 4 yards. Perine entered the 2022 season as the primary backup to for the , leveraging his experience from previous years with the team to provide depth in the backfield. Under the final year of his two-year contract signed in , he appeared in all 16 regular-season games, serving as a versatile contributor on offense and special teams. In the regular season, Perine rushed 95 times for 394 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, with a season-long run of 29 yards. He also emerged as a reliable receiving option out of the backfield, catching 38 passes for 287 yards and 4 touchdowns, including a notable 2-touchdown performance (95 rushing yards and 41 receiving yards) in a win over the Houston Texans. Additionally, Perine played a key role on special teams, logging snaps in kick coverage and return units to support the Bengals' resurgent campaign that culminated in an division title. The Bengals advanced to their second consecutive in the postseason, with Perine providing steady support during the playoff run. In the wild card victory over the , he rushed for 18 yards on 6 carries. He added 20 yards on 7 carries in the divisional round win against the and 22 yards on 5 carries in the loss to the , helping maintain balance in the rushing attack across the three games. Following the 2022 season, Perine became an unrestricted and signed a two-year, $7.5 million with the in March 2023, ending his second stint with the Bengals after 46 games from 2020–2022 (plus 6 in 2019).

Denver Broncos (2023)

Perine joined the as an unrestricted on March 14, 2023, signing a two-year worth $7.5 million that included $3 million in guarantees. The deal positioned him as a versatile complement to the backfield, drawing on his prior experience with the Bengals where he had served in a similar rotational capacity. In the 2023 season, Perine operated primarily as the backup to lead rusher , focusing on third-down situations and pass protection to support quarterback . His skill in blocking allowed the Broncos to keep him on the field in obvious passing scenarios, where he also contributed as a receiving option out of the backfield, catching a career-high 50 passes for 455 yards. On the ground, he added 238 rushing yards on 53 carries, including one , helping to spell Williams in a run game that emphasized committee usage under new head coach . Perine's efforts came amid a rebuilding year for , which finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs, marking Payton's first season after replacing . Despite the team's struggles with offensive consistency, Perine's reliability in protection and short-yardage receiving provided stability to the unit. He completed the 2023 campaign under his contract and entered free agency in 2024 after the Broncos waived him in late August.

Kansas City Chiefs (2024)

Following his release from the in the 2024 offseason, Perine signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the on August 30, providing depth in the backfield behind primary rusher and . In the 2024 regular season, Perine appeared in all 17 games without starting, recording 20 rushing attempts for 92 yards and one , along with 28 receptions for 322 yards and another , showcasing his value as a pass-catching option from the backfield. He also contributed significantly on special teams, including recovering a muffed punt during a Week 15 win over the , and was noted by coaches for his reliable pass-blocking in third-down situations, which helped protect quarterback in Andy Reid's offense. These efforts supported the Chiefs' dominant 15-2 regular-season record, the best in the . Perine remained active in the postseason, appearing in all three playoff games with limited offensive snaps—totaling three carries for no yards—while continuing his special teams duties during the Chiefs' AFC Championship victory over the and their 40-22 loss to the in .

Third stint with Cincinnati Bengals (2025–present)

On March 13, 2025, Perine signed a two-year contract with the worth up to $3.8 million, marking his return to the team and reuniting him with a familiar offensive system from his previous stint. Through nine games in the 2025 season as of Week 9, Perine has served primarily as a rotational behind starter , contributing to the Bengals' backfield depth amid challenges. He has recorded 32 rushing attempts for 198 yards at a 6.2-yard average and one , along with eight receptions for 45 yards. A notable highlight came in Week 9 against the , where Perine returned a kickoff 38 yards before suffering a right ankle that sidelined him for the remainder of the game. As of November 8, 2025, the Bengals hold a 3-6 record midway through the season, placing third in the and relying on veteran contributors like Perine for injury management and situational versatility. His role has emphasized short-yardage situations and special teams, helping maintain backfield stability despite the team's struggles. With eight games remaining, Perine remains a key depth piece with potential involvement in any late-season playoff push if the Bengals improve their standing.

Professional statistics

Regular season

Statistics as of November 14, 2025.

Rushing

YearTeamGAttYdsAvgLngTDFUM
2017WAS161756033.43012
2018WAS58324.01100
20192TM75163.2900
2020CIN16633014.84630
2021CIN16552464.54610
2022CIN16953944.12920
2023DEN17532384.52413
2024KC1720924.61310
2025CIN9321986.23211
Career1195062,1204.246106

Receiving

YearTeamGRecYdsAvgLngTDTgt
2017WAS16221828.325124
2018WAS5351.7804
20192TM700——00
2020CIN1611666.015012
2021CIN16271967.323131
2022CIN16382877.632451
2023DEN17504559.129056
2024KC172832211.536135
2025CIN97304.31609
Career1191861,5438.3367222

Fumbles

Perine has fumbled 6 times in his regular-season career, losing 5, with 2 in his rookie season (2017) and others in 2023 (3) and 2025 (1).

Kick Returns

Perine has 23 career kick returns for 605 yards (26.3 average) with no touchdowns. In 2025, he had 15 returns for 381 yards (25.4 average).

Postseason

Perine has appeared in 10 postseason games during his NFL career, with appearances in 2021, 2022, and 2024. His overall playoff rushing totals include 18 carries for 68 yards and 1 , and 13 receptions for 99 yards and 1 , underscoring his situational role in high-pressure contests. The table below details his playoff rushing statistics by year:
YearTeamGamesCarriesYardsTDs
20214320
2022314581
2024[Kansas City Chiefs](/page/Kansas_City Chiefs)3180
Career1018681
A key moment came in the 2022 postseason, where Perine rushed for 58 yards and 1 touchdown across three games, contributing to the Bengals' playoff run.

Personal life

Family

Perine married his college sweetheart, Megan "Meg" Perine, in 2018 following their engagement in February 2017. The couple, who both attended the University of Oklahoma, welcomed their first child, daughter Landyn, in March 2019. They later had two more children: son Major in February 2021 and daughter Aila James in March 2023. Perine was raised by his parents, father Sam and mother Gloria Perine, who instilled strong that influenced his name, incorporating "Sam" to honor the familial tradition shared with his grandfather and brother of the same name. His brother Sam and parents have provided ongoing support throughout his career, including during key transitions between teams. Gloria Perine works as a Business Partner at Apple. The Perine family has navigated multiple relocations due to his professional moves across teams in Washington, (multiple stints), , and Kansas City, with Meg and the children accompanying him to maintain family unity amid the demands of life, including his return to in March 2025. Perine prioritizes privacy in his personal relationships, sharing limited details publicly and focusing on shielding his family from excessive media attention.

Off-field activities

Perine has actively participated in the NFL's My Cause My Cleats campaign, using the platform to support youth health and wellness initiatives. In 2018, while with the (then ), he highlighted the importance of promoting active lifestyles for children through the team's Redskins FITT program, drawing from his own childhood experiences of outdoor play to advocate for reducing and encouraging at least 30 minutes to an hour of daily . He has also partnered with organizations like Rosemary's Babies Co. in to expand community programs, including building facilities for youth development. Beyond cleats campaigns, Perine has engaged in direct community service, such as participating in events organized by the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation for children of fallen service members, where he spent time interacting with participants to provide joy and support. During the 2022 Super Bowl preparations with the Bengals, he sold custom T-shirts, directing a portion of proceeds to establish a scholarship for a student-athlete from his alma mater, Pflugerville High School in Texas, leveraging his platform to aid local education and sports access. Additionally, Perine has hosted youth football camps, including one in Norman, Oklahoma, to mentor young athletes and foster skill development in the sport. Perine maintains a notable social media presence, particularly on , where he shares personal insights, family moments, and motivational content with over 110,000 followers. He has appeared in faith-based interviews, discussing how his Christian beliefs guide his perseverance and identity amid career challenges, as highlighted in pre-Super Bowl LIX conversations in 2025. These appearances underscore his role in inspirational dialogues, often emphasizing spiritual resilience. While Perine has explored endorsement opportunities through his representation, no major public ventures, such as apparel lines or programs, have been prominently detailed in recent reports. Regarding , he has not engaged in extensive public discussions on injury recovery or strategies following his post-2023 experiences.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeriSa00.htm
  2. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3116389/samaje-perine
  3. https://soonersports.com/sports/football/roster/samaje-perine/3260
  4. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/samaje-perine-1.html
  5. https://www.nfl.com/players/samaje-perine/stats/career
  6. https://www.bengals.com/team/players-roster/samaje-perine/
  7. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/samaje-perine-stats-career
  8. https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-who-are-samaje-perines-parents-all-about-nfl-stars-mom-and-dad/
  9. https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/samaje-perine-parents
  10. https://static.soonersports.com/microsites/14fb_perine/
  11. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2022/02/11/bengals-rb-shares-a-moment-with-mom
  12. https://www.athletic.net/athlete/2934335/track-and-field
  13. https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/117335/baker-mayfield-samaje-perine-grew-up-on-wrong-side-of-red-river
  14. https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/2013/08/20/preseason-power-poll-no-5-hendrickson/9990693007/
  15. https://247sports.com/player/samaje-perine-20790/
  16. https://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2013/3/14/4102404/samaje-perine-scouting-report-recruiting-2014-oklahoma-sooners-football
  17. https://www.espn.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/88767/trio-of-backs-provide-base-for-ou-offense
  18. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2014/09/07/oklahoma-football-sooners-three-headed-monster-at-running-back-tough-for-defenders-to-bring-down/60800823007/
  19. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story?id=11932495
  20. https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2014/09/02/former-hendrickson-star-samaje-perine-starts-powerfully-at-ou/10123590007/
  21. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/400547858/oklahoma-west-virginia
  22. https://www.nfl.com/news/samaje-perine-powers-oklahoma-to-win-over-west-virginia-0ap3000000397568
  23. https://soonersports.com/news/2014/9/22/209669788
  24. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/400547894/kansas-oklahoma
  25. https://www.oudaily.com/sports/samaje-perine-breaks-fbs-single-game-rushing-record/article_94462bd6-735b-11e4-9b3c-3f1bf579fa1b.html
  26. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/400547901/oklahoma-st-oklahoma
  27. https://soonerstats.com/football/players/details.cfm?playerid=3013
  28. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/400610208/oklahoma-clemson
  29. https://poptartsbowl.com/clemson-wins-2014-russell-athletic-bowl-40-6/
  30. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/400603868/oklahoma-tennessee
  31. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/400763466/oklahoma-oklahoma-st
  32. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/400852733/oklahoma-clemson
  33. https://big12sports.com/news/2015/12/9/210570297.aspx
  34. https://tylerpaper.com/2015/10/27/samaje-perine-earns-earl-campbell-tyler-rose-award-with-dominant-performance-2/
  35. https://www.espn.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/113958/baker-mayfield-leads-big-12s-top-heisman-candidates
  36. https://www.nfl.com/photos/16-for-16-top-heisman-trophy-candidates-for-2016-0ap3000000662647
  37. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/sports/ncaafootball/houston-topples-no-3-oklahoma-showing-last-years-success-was-no-fluke.html
  38. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/400869615/texas-oklahoma
  39. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17078725/perine-tops-big-12-doak-walker-watch-list
  40. https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/18400149/samajeperine-declares-draft-
  41. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/leaders/records-player-rushing.html
  42. https://www.nfl.com/news/redskins-draft-oklahoma-running-back-samaje-perine-0ap3000000804648
  43. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/21856/samaje-perine
  44. https://www.footballdb.com/players/samaje-perine-perinsa01
  45. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2017.htm
  46. https://riggosrag.com/2018/09/20/redskins-for-samaje-perine-the-time-to-step-up-is-now/
  47. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/redskins-close-out-preseason-with-a-30-20-loss-to-ravens/2018/08/30/2cfd00fe-ac86-11e8-b1da-ff7faa680710_story.html
  48. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2018.htm
  49. https://www.bengals.com/team/transactions/2019
  50. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeriSa00/gamelog/2019/
  51. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cin/2019.htm
  52. https://media.miamidolphins.com/press_releases/miami-dolphins-sign-perine/
  53. https://www.footballdb.com/players/samaje-perine-perinsa01/transactions
  54. https://www.cincyjungle.com/2020/4/28/21240437/rb-samaje-perine-re-joins-bengals-off-of-waivers-dolphins
  55. https://www.bengals.com/news/samaje-perine-re-signs-with-the-bengals
  56. https://www.nfl.com/players/samaje-perine/stats/logs/2022/
  57. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35860172/broncos-agree-two-year-contract-rb-samaje-perine
  58. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-rb-samaje-perine
  59. https://www.denver7.com/sports/broncos/broncos-add-veteran-samaje-perine-to-backfield
  60. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/2023.htm
  61. https://www.profootballrumors.com/2024/09/chiefs-to-add-rb-samaje-perine
  62. https://www.chiefs.com/news/five-things-to-know-about-new-chiefs-rb-samaje-perine
  63. https://www.nfl.com/players/samaje-perine/stats/
  64. https://www.si.com/nfl/chiefs/onsi/gm-report/samaje-perine-is-fulfilling-a-familiar-role-for-chiefs-down-the-stretch
  65. https://atozsports.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs-news/samaje-perine-an-underrated-weapon-for-chiefs-offense/
  66. https://www.chiefs.com/video/samaje-perine-falls-on-cleveland-browns-muffed-punt
  67. https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs-team-stats?category=rushing&season=2024&seasonType=post&sort=ru_yds&sortOrder=desc
  68. https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-eagles-in-super-bowl-lix-what-we-learned-from-philadelphia-s-40-22-win
  69. https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-samaje-perine-roster-update-2025
  70. https://www.si.com/nfl/samaje-perine-bengals-deal
  71. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/3116389/samaje-perine
  72. https://www.nfl.com/videos/samaje-perine-s-38-yard-kickoff-return-gives-bengals-solid-field-position-for-second-drive
  73. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cin/2025/gamelog
  74. https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/samaje-perine-wife
  75. https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/2/19/14663248/samaje-perine-marriage-proposal-magic-trick
  76. https://www.commanders.com/news/as-he-adjusts-to-fatherhood-samaje-perine-is-ready-for-on-field-competition
  77. https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-who-is-samaje-perines-wife-megan-all-about-nfl-stars-life-partner/
  78. https://www.commanders.com/community/my-cause-my-cleats/samaje-perine
  79. https://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/2807887-nfl-my-cause-my-cleats-2018-full-list-of-participating-players-charities
  80. https://www.dcmilitary.com/andrews_gazette/news/kids-of-fallen-service-members-united-in-play-with-washington-redskins-charitable-foundation-and-yellow/article_a901d6a9-6a88-5b16-bef7-5e08783d2813.html
  81. https://www.npr.org/2022/02/12/1080228771/some-players-use-their-super-bowl-platform-to-make-a-super-impact-in-their-commu
  82. https://247sports.com/college/oklahoma/headline/samaje-perine-to-host-youth-football-camp-in-norman-112460725
  83. https://www.instagram.com/samaj32/?hl=en
  84. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=let8rUN1HkA
  85. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff31Z_YER5c
  86. https://www.athleteagent.com/athletes/samaje-perine/contract
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.