Perine gets chance to run for Redskins

Fish Smithson still can’t get the number 427 out of his head. Being a teammate of Washington Redskins running back Samaje Perine is one constant reminder.

Smithson was a safety for the University of Kansas in November 2014 when the University of Oklahoma’s Perine rushed for an NCAA-record 427 yards that still stands today.

“I remember him running all over us,” Smithson said.

Three years later, a season-ending injury to Rob Kelley has thrust Perine into the role of the No. 1 back for Washington. Perine has 66 carries for 210 yards through nine games, but will be expected to pick up that pace starting on Sunday against the Saints in New Orleans.

Washington will split carries between Perine and third-down back Chris Thompson.

He already has one start under his belt and felt good about getting loose with nine rushes for 35 yards against Minnesota in Week 10 when Kelley injured his left knee and ankle.

Perine has one fumble this season that came on an exchange with Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins.

They expect that chemistry will build with more hand-offs, as will the 22-year-old’s familiarity with the offence, blocking schemes and opposing defences.

“You just have to get the reps, and once the reps build up and once you get more comfortable in the situation, then things start to slow down for you,” Perine said.

“It takes actual game reps, and you can practise it all you want, you can look over film, but actually getting those full-speed reps, that’s really going to help when it comes to knowing how the speed is and how everything is put together.”

The team would like to see Perine, at 236 pounds, run over more defenders, break more tackles and pile up some more yards after contact.