Redskins tab Perine as new No. 1 RB

ASHBURN, VA. » 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 Kansas in November 2014 when 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 Sunday at the New Orleans Saints.

“With Rob’s injury now, we’ll see a lot more Samaje down the stretch here,” coach Jay Gruden said. “I just want to see more production. That’s all.”

The Redskins will split carries between Perine and third-down back Chris Thompson and signed Byron Marshall off the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad, but this is the rookie fourthround pick’s show now. He already has one start under his best 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. But this is no cameo. Perine is now the fulltime feature back, which comes with more chances on the ground and in the passing game. And quarterback Kirk Cousins believes Perine has all the tools to become a complete NFL running back.

“He’s always run the ball really hard, and I think he does a great job with that,” Cousins said. “The pass game is really the growth that a running back needs to take when he first shows up in the NFL because of how many pressures are being thrown at them and how much responsibility we place on a running back in pass protection, and those are the places where he can grow and will grow.”

Perine, whose last name is pronounced “P-rine,” has one fumble this season that came on an exchange with Cousins. They expect that chemistry to come with more handoffs, as will the 22-year-old’s familiarity with the offense, blocking schemes and opposing defenses.