When the small-school tight end was forced to, though, he didn’t let it hold him back.
Released at the end of training camp and signed to the practice squad for the second straight year, Perillo’s midseason promotion to the 53-man roster this time has featured a lot more game action and offensive contributions.
It’s a credit to his perseverance, and the former undrafted and unknown commodity from the University of Maine is suddenly a more recognizable name in Packernation after his five catches for 67 yards and last-minute touchdown on Sunday vs. Detroit.
“When I got cut this year too, I had it in the back of my mind what happened last year when I got activated,” said Perillo, who was robbed of a full preseason to compete for a roster spot, missing a portion of training camp with a concussion.