Steelers add another vet to the RB room

Steelers add another vet to the RB room

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran running back La’Mical Perine, the team announced Thursday. Perine is one of three running backs signed since the 2024 NFL Draft, including UDFA Daijun Edwards and vet Jonathan Ward.

Perine was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but has struggled to carve himself a role, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry over his career. Since the Jets released him ahead of the 2022 season, he’d spent time on the practice squad for the Eagles, Dolphins and Chiefs. The Chiefs elevated him to the active roster in December of 2023 with an injury to Jerick McKinnon, starting one game (Week 18) where he totaled 109 yards on 24 touches.

There’s no doubt that the Steelers were in need of running back depth behind the tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. However, after the team declined Harris’ fifth year option, it’s become all the more apparent that there could be a bigger role down the pipeline for a player who manages to stand out in this offseason program.