Broncos explain decision to release veteran RB Samaje Perine

The Denver Broncos released veteran running back Samaje Perine on Tuesday, a move that might have surprised NFL fans who are not familiar with the team’s backfield.

Denver opted to carry four running backs on the 53-man roster : Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime and Blake Watson. All four are younger than Perine with more long-term upside.

“With Samaje, [he’s] another great pro,” GM George Paton said on Tuesday shortly after addressing the Tim Patrick release . “He’s going to move on and do well somewhere else. [That is] another stacked room and it’s not just because they are young, [but] we like the talent. They are young and they are talented, the whole group. Javonte, Jaleel, Estime and then this Watson kid is really talented. … [W]e like the room. We loved having Samaje here. He won us games. We just wish him the best.”

Perine was arguably the team’s best blocking and receiving option in the backfield, but he doesn’t contribute on special teams the way Denver’s young running backs will this season.

“[S]pecial teams does factor in at the running back position,” Paton said. “Audric’s probably going to be a four-core teamer. Jaleel can return and Watson can do some things on teams. That does factor in.”

As Paton noted, Perine should have no problem catching on elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Broncos will now look to build their practice squad. One potential candidate to return is running back Tyler Badie, who performed well in preseason. We will track all of Denver’s moves on Broncos Wire .