The Pittsburgh Steelers have secured the services of a former running back from an Alabama high school.
Former standout from Theodore High School, La’Mical Perine, has inked a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as announced by the NFL team on Thursday. Perine joined the Steelers following his release from the Kansas City Chiefs last Friday.
During most of the previous season, Perine was part of the Kansas City practice squad. While on the field for three regular-season games, he tallied 77 yards on 22 rushing attempts and 33 yards on three receptions, accumulating a total of 59 offensive snaps and 55 special-teams plays.
Perine also participated in three playoff games as the Chiefs advanced to Super Bowl LVIII, although he did not feature in the championship game against the San Francisco 49ers. Throughout the AFC playoffs, he saw action in 37 special-teams plays.
This week, Pittsburgh also signed Jonathan Ward, another running back who had stints with the Tennessee Titans in 2023, adding depth to their running back corps. The Steelers’ roster now boasts seven running backs, including Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, their top rushers from last season.
A standout in Alabama’s Class 7A Back of the Year at Theodore in 2015, Perine entered the NFL in the fourth round of the 2020 Draft, joining the New York Jets from Florida. During his tenure with the Jets in 2020 and 2021, he accumulated 263 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 72 carries, along with 11 receptions for 63 yards.
In the 2022 season, Perine didn’t feature in any regular-season games, spending time on the practice squads of the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and eventually the Chiefs.
