Paul

Perkins

Perkins, 26, spent 2020 on the Colts’ practice squad and did not see any game day action. He’s bounced around the league since starting five games for the Giants in 2016 and 2017, and he’ll likely catch on with another team this summer.

Even if one of them were to sign a last-minute contract, neither would be in line for work this Sunday behind Jerick McKinnon and Jeffery Wilson. Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman are only week to week as well, so any value from Wilson will likely be short lived. Mostert has been the best back on the roster dating back to late last season.

Perkins is a strong candidate to be re-signed to the practice squad, although his season-long 13-29-0 rushing and 1-9-0 receiving lines haven’t inspired much confidence. The Lions promoted Bo Scarbrough from the practice squad in a corresponding roster move.

The Lions listed him as a limited participant. It’s unclear if Johnson has cleared the concussion protocol, though obviously his presence at Thursday’s practice is a positive sign for his availability Sunday against Dallas. J.D. McKissic and Paul Perkins would work in tandem if Johnson sits, though Detroit has surprisingly been among the most pass-centric teams in football since Kerryon Johnson’s injury.

Perkins saw an enhanced workload with Ty Johnson (concussion) ailing, seeing eight touches to J.D. McKissic’s 16. He spent much of the day running into brick walls (long rush of three yards), struggling to find any semblance of breathing room amid Chicago’s famously stout front seven. Even if Johnson misses time, it’s doubtful Perkins will amount to much in the fantasy realm. The Lions will be back in the Motor City to host the Cowboys in Week 11.

He went to the locker room late in the first quarter. Johnson contributed 16 yards on five carries along with one catch for three yards before exiting. Expect J.D. McKissic and Paul Perkins to share the rushing load for Detroit with Johnson done for the afternoon.

The Lions cleared a spot for him by cutting OT Casey Tucker. Perkins’ reunion with Detroit could be a sign the Lions are concerned about the health of Tra Carson, who popped up on the injury report with a hamstring issue Thursday. Even if he’s added to the active roster for Sunday’s game in Oakland, Perkins would likely be fighting for scraps behind presumed starter Ty Johnson and receiving back J.D. McKissic.

Perkins joins Ty Johnson, J.D. McKissic, and Tra Carson as the Lions’ running backs following Kerryon Johnson’s (knee) placement on I.R. Ty is expected to serve as the lead dog of this backfield, but there’s a chance guys like Carson and Perkins push the rookie for carries. The group has a tasty Week 8 date against the Giants.

The ex-Giant made it exactly one month on the Lions’ 53-man roster. He’s being replaced by recently-waived Packer Tra Carson, who handled the ball 10 times for the Pack in Week 5.

Perkins spent some time with the Giants’ second-team offense during the summer but was a healthy scratch for both Weeks 1 and 2. He is taking C.J. Anderson’s roster spot in Detroit but is unlikely to inherit his No. 2 role. Perkins figures to be a healthy scratch for Week 3.