NFL Christmas comes early for former Alabama prep star

NFL Christmas comes early for former Alabama prep star

For the first time since the 2021 season, former Theodore High School running back La’Mical Perine is on an NFL 53-man roster.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Perine to their active roster from their practice squad, the NFL team announced on Sunday.

The Chiefs promoted Perine while placing running back Jerick McKinnon on injured reserve because of a groin injury.

Kansas City plays the Las Vegas Raiders at noon CST Monday.

To have Perine available for that game, the Chiefs had to have him on their 53-player active roster. Each NFL team can elevate two members of its practice squad to active status for each game, but no player can be elevated more than three times in a season. Perine had reached his limit.

Perine has played five offensive snaps and 14 special-teams plays this season for Kansas City, with one 1-yard rushing attempt.

Alabama’s Class 7A Back of the Year at Theodore in 2015, Perine joined the New York Jets from Florida in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Perine ran for 263 yards and two touchdowns on 72 carries and caught 11 passes for 63 yards in 14 games with the Jets during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Perine did not play in a regular-season game during the 2022 season, when he spent time on the practice squads of the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Chiefs.

The Chiefs also elevated former Samford standout Montrell Washington from the practice squad on Sunday, making him eligible for Monday’s game. The wide receiver has played in five games this season and returned eight punts for 61 yards and one kickoff for 20 yards.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.