Perine rushed for 23 yards on nine carries and added three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-24 win over the 49ers.
Perine's first career touchdown came early in the second quarter when Kirk Cousins checked down to him in the flat for a diving one-yard score. His increased opportunity came as a result of Rob Kelley (ankle) missing the contest. The good news mostly ended there for Perine as, after tallying at least 20 touches in Weeks 2 and 3, he saw Chris Thompson go off for 20 touches and 138 total yards Sunday -- more than Perine has seen in the past two games combined. He's been held below 3.5 yards per carry in three of four outings. While Washington leans heavily on Thompson, who leads the team in both receiving and rushing through five games, Perine figures to be more of a short-yardage, change-of-pace back -- and that role becomes murkier when Kelley returns.