Samaje Perine returns to practice, out vs. Broncos

ASHBURN Samaje Perine returned to practice Wednesday, almost a week after the running back suffered an ankle injury against the New York Jets.

Perine was seen stretching and participated in individual drills in the portion of practice available to the media. On Saturday, Perine was wearing a walking boot, but coach Jay Gruden said he wasn’t expected to be out long.

Gruden said Wednesday that Perine will not play in Friday’s game against the Denver Broncos.

“He’s getting better,” Gruden said. “I expect him to be out for [the Broncos], but I expect him to be available for the fourth game.”

Perine, a 2017 fourth-round pick, was the Redskins’ leading rusher last season with 603 yards. But the Redskins weren’t satisfied with their run game as a whole, drafting Derrius Guice in the second round to boost their 28th ranked rushing attack.

Guice ended up tearing his ACL in Week 1 of the preseason. And after injuries to Perine and reserve Byron Marshall, the Redskins signed Adrian Peterson.

But executive Doug Williams said Tuesday that the team liked the way Perinereturned to the Redskins after his rookie season.

“After we lost Derrius we realized that we still have the guys,” Williams said. “But, when they came in camp, Rob [Kelley] and Perine came back in pretty good shape and I think a lot had to do with the fact that we did have Guice and they realized that we have to come back and work. So we were happy the way they came back.”

Perine will return next week when the Redskins face the Baltimore Ravens.