RADIO
Samaje Perine Looking to Pick Up Where He Left Off
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine totaled 14 carries, 68 rushing yards, two catches, 10 receiving yards, and one touchdown in the team's most recent game prior to the bye week. Now that the Bengals are returning to action in Week 7, he'll look to pick up where he left off with a similar role and volume share. It was surprising to see Perine pull ahead of Chase Brown in terms of workload, and while a similar outcome seems somewhat improbable for Week 7, momentum is certainly on Perine's side. The 31-year-old is averaging more than 4.0 yards per carry this season, and he has historically been a key contributor in the passing game. Perine doesn't need to have an every-down role to get on the fantasy radar, either. He played 51% of the snaps in Week 5 and was still able to produce 15.8 fantasy points in PPR leagues. He certainly has a lower floor than some of the other players in the RB3/flex range, but he has a chance to solidify himself as a weekly fantasy starter with another productive performance this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Gesicki's Touchdown Streak Keeps Him in Waiver Consideration
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki has scored a touchdown in three consecutive games, but he's caught only seven passes during that stretch. His latest score came on his lone four-yard reception against Miami in Week 5, and the Bengals return from their bye to face Baltimore on Sunday. Gesicki has four touchdowns on just 12 receptions through five games, which makes him a viable streaming option in 12-team PPR leagues despite an inconsistent workload. He drew seven targets in the season opener against Tampa Bay, when he finished with five catches for 78 yards, but has seen only 10 targets across the four games since. Tee Higgins (43 targets) and Ja'Marr Chase (38) dominate Cincinnati's passing game, leaving fewer opportunities for Gesicki between the 20s. Rostered in just 14% of leagues, he's a worthwhile short-term pickup for managers needing tight end help, though much of his fantasy production has come from an unusually high touchdown rate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tanner Hudson Placed on Injured Reserve With Pectoral Injury
The Cincinnati Bengals officially placed tight end Tanner Hudson (pectoral) on Injured Reserve on Monday with a pectoral injury that he suffered in the Week 5 win over the Miami Dolphins, according to the team's official website. Hudson will now be forced to miss at least the next four games, starting with Cincy's Week 7 contest this Sunday against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. In four games so far in 2026, Hudson was not on the fantasy football radar with only seven catches (on seven targets) for 33 yards and one touchdown. The 31-year-old veteran's pectoral injury will open up more playing time for Drew Sample behind starting tight end Mike Gesicki moving forward, although Sample should remain on the waiver wire in all leagues. Hudson has never been a high-end pass-catcher at the position, and he has accumulated 99 catches for 906 yards and only five touchdowns in 75 regular-season games played (four starts) in his seven-plus NFL seasons. Hudson is in his fourth year with the Bengals.
Source: Bengals.com
Source: Bengals.com
Samaje Perine's Pre-Bye Week Performance Worth Remembering
Prior to the team's Week 6 bye, Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine had his most productive game in nearly a calendar year, carrying the ball 14 times for 68 yards, while adding two catches and a touchdown. Given the timing of Cincinnati's down week, the veteran is still readily available on many waiver wires and is worthy of consideration with the possibility of an expanded role. Much like he did to begin the 2025 season, Chase Brown has struggled with efficiency, and it was Perine who led the team with a 51.9% running back rush share in Week 5. As a low-cost waiver add, the 31-year-old runner is well worth a pickup and stash to see if his expanded usage extends beyond the bye week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Samaje Perine Worth a Look Despite Bengals' Bye
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine is worth waiver-wire consideration ahead of Week 6, despite his team's bye week. Perine put together a productive rushing line (14/68) in Cincinnati's win against the Dolphins last Sunday. In fact, he was more involved in the Bengals' ground attack than backfield mate Chase Brown (13/39), and pushed the latter to below a 70% snap share (60%) for the first time all season. While the role reversal is likely a one-off, Brown has been somewhat underwhelming as a rusher over five weeks. He'll likely keep his stellar role in the passing game, but if the veteran continues to outshine him in efficiency, Perine could carve out a bigger workload. The 31-year-old is a nice deep-league stash through Cincinnati's bye.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Chase Brown's Workload to Shrink in Bengals' Offense?
The Cincinnati Bengals shifted to a higher rate of shotgun, downhill runs in the Week 5 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. The shotgun formation fits backup running back Samaje Perine's skill set better, and his powerful running style resulted in 4.9 yards per carry on 14 attempts. Perine's 57.1% success rate tied for the most of any back in the NFL last weekend. Brown, meanwhile, saw 13 carries for only 39 yards (3.0 yards per attempt) while catching three of his four targets for 21 yards as a receiver. Perine had one more carry than he had in the first four games combined, and he had one more rushing attempt than Brown. There have been 182 runs of at least 14 yards in the NFL so far this year, but the Bengals are the only team without one. "I think we'll continually assess how that touch share between (Perine) and Chase Brown should play out," offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said. "Every game's different." Brown will continue to have a major role in Cincy's backfield, but how opponents play the Bengals could determine how the Bengals dictate the usage of Perine versus Brown. He should continue to be a must-start in all fantasy lineups, especially when considering that his 24 catches are the second-most of any RB in the NFL through five weeks.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Tanner Hudson Expected to Miss Entire Season With Torn Pec
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson (pectoral) suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the Week 5 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and is expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season, his agent told WLWT's Charlie Clifford. Hudson only had seven receptions for 33 yards and one touchdown in four games played this year with the Bengals, but it is a big loss in the team's TE corps behind starter Mike Gesicki. The good news for the Bengals is that they have a deep group of tight ends behind Gesicki, which also includes Drew Sample and Erick All Jr. Hudson had the best season of his career in 2023 in his first year with the Bengals, catching 39 of his 50 targets for 352 yards and one touchdown in 12 games played. He has never scored more than two touchdowns in any of his eight seasons in the league, but he is a well-respected pass-catching backup TE when he is healthy.
Source: WLWT - Charlie Clifford
Source: WLWT - Charlie Clifford
Samaje Perine a Deep League Waiver-Wire Target Following Week 5
Across five games so far in 2026, Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has recorded 171 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 34 touches. The veteran back has largely operated as the clear RB2 in Cincinnati behind Bengals RB1 Chase Brown. However, Perine played a much larger role in the Cincinnati offense in Week 4, logging 78 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 16 touches. At 31 years old and now in his 10th NFL season, Perine may not offer fantasy managers much high-end upside. Still, Brown is currently averaging just 3.5 yards per carry and has logged just one touchdown through five games. If the Bengals start to shift more work onto Perine's plate, he could have some standalone appeal in the right matchups while playing within Cincinnati's explosive offense. In deeper fantasy league formats, Perine could be worth targeting on the waiver wire coming out of Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ja'Marr Chase Doesn't Miss a Beat in Return From Concussion
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase caught six of his 10 targets for 77 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 5 win over the Miami Dolphins. Chase suffered a concussion in Week 4, but he managed to clear protocol in seven days and was able to continue producing as a strong WR1 this Sunday. The 26-year-old is now up to 27 catches, 289 yards, and two touchdowns through five games this season. He's headed for a bye in Week 6, but he'll return on the other side of the off week as a high-end WR1 who should be started in all fantasy leagues. As long as quarterback Joe Burrow stays healthy, Chase will continue to be a top fantasy weapon while proving that he can coexist alongside another high-scoring receiver, Tee Higgins.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tee Higgins Held in Check in Win Over Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (groin/neck) was held to just two receptions for 22 yards (11.0 yards per catch) on four targets in a 31-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 5. The receptions and yardage totals were both season lows for Higgins, but quarterback Joe Burrow also threw for a season-low 190 yards. Higgins is dealing with injuries to his groin and neck, and entered the game with a questionable tag after missing practice on Thursday and Friday before logging a full session on Friday. There were questions regarding whether or not Higgins would be on a snap count against the Dolphins, but he played 45 out of 64 offensive snaps for the Bengals (70.3%). Higgins was behind fellow wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (77) and tight end Erick All Jr. (25) in receiving yards on Sunday. However, Higgins leads Cincinnati in receiving yards with 423 and has recorded a touchdown in 2026. He will remain a must-start fantasy football wide receiver following the Bengals' Week 6 bye week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chase Brown Struggles, Gets Outpaced by Backup
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown was unable to find much success during Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Brown carried the ball 13 times for 39 yards, while hauling in three passes for 21 yards in the victory. He also lost a fumble during this game, which didn't help his case. Backup Samaje Perine actually did better with 68 rushing yards on 14 carries in this one. Normally, Perine doesn't see much action, but they likely decided to give him a bigger role because of Brown's struggles. The Bengals are heading into a bye now, so we'll see if Brown has a reduced role during the Week 7 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tee Higgins Could Have Snap-Count Limitations on Sunday
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (groin) is officially active on Sunday for the Week 5 game in Miami against the Dolphins, but the NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reports that he could have some snap-count limitations in the game. Both Higgins and star wideout Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) were questionable for this contest, but they will both be active. Higgins told Wolfe that he is good to go, but Wolfe was told that the Bengals will keep an eye on his snaps, and he will play mostly "meaningful plays" as he deals with a groin injury. The 27-year-old might not be on the field as much as his fantasy managers would like, but it does not mean that Higgins cannot put up meaningful numbers against the winless Dolphins in South Beach. Through four games so far in 2026, the former Pro Bowler has caught 25 passes for 401 yards and one touchdown. He went off in last week's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, catching 11 of his 16 targets for 157 yards after Chase left with a concussion. Higgins is definitely more volatile this week, but he should be in most starting fantasy lineups now that he is officially active.
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Tee Higgins Will Play Against the Dolphins on Sunday
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (groin, neck) is active for Sunday's Week 5 contest against the Miami Dolphins, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Higgins opened the week trending in the wrong direction, as he missed back-to-back practices. However, he upgraded to a full participant on Friday, allowing him to enter the weekend listed as questionable. In the end, he will play against a very weak Dolphins team. The 27-year-old has been highly productive so far this season, ranking as the overall WR7 in PPR leagues with 25 catches, 401 yards, and one touchdown. Just last week, with teammate Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) exiting early, Higgins saw a whopping 16 targets. Much like Higgins, Chase has been cleared to play this week, leaving him as a WR1 while Higgins falls in the WR2 range for fantasy football.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Ja'Marr Chase Active for Week 5 Against Miami
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) will play in Sunday's Week 5 contest against the Miami Dolphins, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Chase left last Sunday's game early, and although he was officially listed as questionable heading into Week 5, he's going to suit up after clearing the multi-stage concussion protocol in just seven days. Chase will now look to capitalize on a highly enticing matchup against a very weak Dolphins team. The game script could end up becoming too positive for Chase to handle consistent playing time in the second half, but he should still have more than enough time to put up WR1-caliber numbers throughout the first couple of quarters.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Bengals Add No Receivers with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins Questionable
The Cincinnati Bengals did not elevate any wide receivers from the practice squad to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's Week 5 contest against the Miami Dolphins, according to Ben Baby of ESPN.com. Given that teams often use practice squad elevations to provide depth and security when rostered players are at risk of missing a game, fantasy managers should feel encouraged about the statuses of Ja'Marr Chase (concussion), Tee Higgins (groin, neck), and Colbie Young (knee). Of course, the lack of an elevation does not necessarily guarantee those players will suit up, so managers should check for a status confirmation from the team 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday. With that being said, between Chase and Higgins both logging full practices on Friday and the Bengals opting not to add anyone at the position, we feel very optimistic about both receivers' outlooks for Week 5 against Miami. If they play, Chase is an undisputed WR1 in fantasy football while Higgins is a high-volume WR2 option.
Source: Ben Baby
Source: Ben Baby
