RADIO
Samaje Perine Gaining Waiver-Wire Appeal Amid Growing Role in Cincinnati
Across eight games in 2026, Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has recorded 249 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 54 touches. The 31-year-old has spent most of the season to this point in a reserve role behind Bengals RB1 Chase Brown. However, Brown has struggled so far in 2026, recording career lows in both yards per carry (3.9) and yards per touch (4.3). In Cincinnati's Week 9 win over the Atlanta Falcons, the team split touches evenly between Perine (11) and Brown (12). If that trend continues, Perine could move into flex territory for fantasy managers as a consistent piece in one of the NFL's most potent offenses. In deeper leagues, Perine could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 10.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chase Brown Falls Short of RB1 Expectations in Madrid
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown was stopped for no gain from the one-yard line in the second quarter, and Joe Burrow scored on the next snap. Brown finished with 57 yards on nine carries and caught all three of his targets for 18 yards as Cincinnati beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-17 in Madrid in Week 9. He scored 10.5 PPR points after entering the game at RB11 in RotoBaller's weekend PPR rankings. Samaje Perine rushed for 43 yards on 11 carries, seven of them in the fourth quarter as Cincinnati protected a lead. Brown had seven carries to Perine's four through three quarters. Brown gained two more yards on the ground than he did in Week 8, but his catches dropped from eight against the Tennessee Titans to three. He finished with 8.9 PPR points in his first meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he caught just two passes. Brown remains a PPR RB2 for the Week 10 home rematch, with his value still tied to catches during a seven-game touchdown drought.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Samaje Perine a Risky Play Despite Favorable Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has cooled off over the last couple of weeks, making him a risky fantasy football option for Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. Perine remains the No. 2 option behind Chase Brown in the Cincinnati backfield, and he's been a modest contributor in the passing game behind the likes of Brown, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Mike Gesicki. The most intriguing factor to consider is the matchup, as the Falcons have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards, fifth-most rushing touchdowns, fourth-most receptions, and second-most receiving touchdowns to running backs this year. However, Perine's role remains a primary concern for fantasy managers. There's a chance that we could see Perine get a little more involved if the Bengals blow out the Falcons, but the fact that he has just one game with more than 8.0 PPR points this season is enough to justify staying away from him in fantasy football this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chase Brown Should Dominate Touches In Week 9
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown handled 12 carries for 55 yards and caught eight passes for 46 yards in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans. After fantasy managers were unsure of the backfield split with Samaje Perine earning more touches, Brown put those doubts to rest. The Bengals RB1 earned 21 opportunities in a game that was a back-and-forth affair. Perine had fewer chances and was far less efficient on the ground, so Brown should dominate touches again in Madrid against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons defense was tough against the run to begin the season, but has since lightened up. Brown is ranked RB11 in our RotoBaller Week 9 PPR rankings, making him a strong start at the position. Fantasy managers should view Brown as a must-start option every week because he can make his day on the ground and through the air.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Samaje Perine Doesn't Offer Much Waiver-Wire Appeal
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has not seen a lot of opportunities as of late. In a 43-36 overtime win against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9, Perine played just 26 offensive snaps compared to 51 snaps for starting tailback Chase Brown. Perine carried the ball just four times for 10 yards (2.5 yards per carry) and made one reception for nine yards. Brown dominated touches with 12 rushes for 55 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and eight catches for 46 yards (5.8 yards per reception). After having a breakout game in a Week 5 win over the Miami Dolphins with 78 total yards and a receiving touchdown, Perine has recorded just eight rushes for 26 yards and a touchdown and the lone reception for nine yards over the past two games. He played just 38 combined snaps between those two contests. Perine offers little fantasy value outside of being Brown's handcuff, and there are higher-priority waiver wire targets out there at running back.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chase Brown Handles Enormous Receiving Volume in Win
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown rushed for 55 yards on 12 carries during Sunday's Week 8 win over the Tennessee Titans. He also caught eight of his nine targets for an additional 46 receiving yards. Finally, he also lost a fumble. Brown turned in a modest rushing stat line, but he had a terrific performance in the passing game. His eight catches were particularly useful in half-PPR and full-PPR leagues, where he used his receiving volume to post double-digit fantasy points. The 26-year-old has done a good job maintaining a large workload despite the Bengals' offense having plenty of other impactful contributors, including Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and even Mike Gesicki, who has a five-game touchdown streak. Brown should continue to be treated as a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside in Week 9 against the Falcons, who just gave up 324 rushing yards to Tampa Bay.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Samaje Perine Should Play Second Fiddle In Week 8
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine took a backseat to Chase Brown in last week's 35-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens and that should be the case again this week at home against the Tennessee Titans. Perine found the end zone in Week 7, but had significantly fewer touches than Brown in the contest. Perine had just four touches to Brown's 15. Perine should return to his complementary role for the rest of the season after splitting the work with Brown in Week 5 before the team's bye. Perine is capable when given the opportunity, but he is only likely to get the opportunity if Brown struggles mightily. That said, Perine will likely have a limited role against a beatable Titan defense at home. Perine is ranked RB34 in our RotoBaller Week 8 PPR rankings, making him a low-end RB3/flex option with touchdown upside. Fantasy managers should try to avoid starting Perine this week unless they are truly desperate at running back.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Chase Brown Should Find Success Against Titans
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown will face the Tennessee Titans in Week 8. Brown found himself in a split backfield after struggling to succeed in Week 5. Coming out of the team's Week 6 bye, Brown dominated touches out of the backfield. The back handled 11 carries for 39 yards and caught four passes on five targets. Fellow running back Samaje Perine had just four carries and no catches, solidifying that Brown is the leader of the backfield. Brown will now get to take on the Titans defense, which has been more middle-of-the-pack. Brown should get plenty of work on the ground and through the air as the Bengals are heavy home favorites. Brown is ranked RB16 in our RotoBaller Week 8 PPR rankings, making him an RB2 for fantasy this Sunday. Fantasy managers should feel confident plugging Brown into lineups this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Chase Brown's Rushing Volume Continues to Decline
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown played 75% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 7, up from 60% in Week 5, but his rushing workload remains well below its early-season level. Brown opened the year with 16 and 20 carries in his first two games before totaling just 46 attempts across his next four outings. His efficiency has also slipped, falling from 4.4 yards per carry in 2025 to 3.5 through six games this season. Brown managed only 39 rushing yards against both Miami in Week 5 and Baltimore in Week 7, while Samaje Perine outcarried him 14-13 against the Dolphins before receiving a one-yard touchdown carry against the Ravens. Brown has scored only once this season after producing 11 total touchdowns in 2025, although his 28 receptions for 143 yards have helped sustain his PPR value. He remains the Bengals' primary back and sits at RB16 in RotoBaller's Week 8 rankings, but his reduced rushing opportunities and Perine's involvement near the goal line make him a less reliable source of high-end fantasy production.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Samaje Perine Scores Again as His Role Shrinks
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine scored again Sunday, but the touchdown hides a role that shrank sharply after the Week 6 bye. His one-yard fourth-quarter punch-in made it two consecutive games with a score in the 35-13 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, yet he finished with 16 rushing yards on four carries and no targets. The snaps tell the story: Perine played 12 offensive snaps to Chase Brown's 40, down from Week 5, when he logged 14 carries for 68 yards and 33 snaps against the Miami Dolphins. Brown reclaimed the backfield with 11 carries for 39 yards and four catches for 19 more. Perine has scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown in his past two appearances, but limited playing time leaves him without a reliable standalone fantasy role. Add him as a handcuff in 12-team leagues, particularly if you roster Brown, ahead of Cincinnati's Week 8 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chase Brown Fails to Score TD in Win vs. Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown had 11 carries for 39 yards in a 35-13 win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7. Brown is splitting his workload with fellow back Samaje Perine, who had four carries for 16 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. The Ravens' potent defense pushed quarterback Joe Burrow to air the ball out in Week 7, which further cut into Brown's workload. Cincinnati faces a weak Tennessee Titans defense its next time out, which could boost Brown's production. However, his light workload is a warning that fantasy managers may need to look elsewhere, especially after he was a bust in Week 7.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Samaje Perine Offers Late-Week PPR Appeal After 14-Carry Outing
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine is a worthwhile late-week waiver pickup in 10-team and deeper PPR leagues, with potential flex value for managers needing immediate running back help. He took on a considerably larger rushing workload in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, carrying 14 times for 68 yards, more than his combined rushing attempts from the previous four games, while adding two receptions for 10 yards and a touchdown. Chase Brown managed 39 yards on 13 carries and lost a fumble. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher indicated that the backfield split could depend on Cincinnati's rushing approach, particularly when the team favors downhill runs that suit Perine's strengths. Brown still holds the advantage in the passing game, with 24 receptions compared to Perine's seven this season, and the Baltimore Ravens have allowed just 3.8 yards per carry, which makes for a difficult Week 7 matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Samaje Perine Could Be More Involved In Baltimore
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine is trending up heading into a Week 7 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The veteran back appeared to be the most productive back in Week 5 before the team's bye week. Perine finished the game with 14 carries for 68 yards and two catches for 10 yards and a touchdown. Perine had one more carry and one fewer catch than fellow back Chase Brown while being far more effective with his touches. Following his success in Week 5, it is assumed that he has earned a larger role in the offense until Brown proves he deserves a workhorse role. Perine should see increased usage, but he has a tough task ahead of him facing the tough Ravens defense. The Baltimore defense has been a difficult matchup for opposing running backs this season, let alone backs working out of a split backfield. Perine could be effective with his chances and still disappoint for fantasy if he does not find the end zone. Perine is ranked RB29 in our RotoBaller Week 7 PPR rankings, making him a mid-range RB3 with upside due to the strength of the Bengals offense. Fantasy managers in a pinch can consider Perine a flex-worthy option this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Chase Brown With A Lot To Prove In Tough Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown will face a tough matchup on the road in Week 7. Brown lost work to fellow back Samaje Perine when the team last played in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins. Brown will now likely have to split the workload facing a strong Baltimore Ravens defense. The Ravens have been soft against opposing passing attacks, but very tough against running backs this season. Brown has had a tough time finding production on the ground, but has had upside as a receiver. The talented pass catcher may be able to salvage his day through the air even if he ends up splitting carries with Perine. In a game with a high over/under, the Bengals may be inclined to pass often to keep up with a high-flying Ravens offense. Brown is ranked RB18 in our RotoBaller Week 7 PPR rankings, making him a mid-range RB2 this week. Fantasy managers should be concerned about the decreased usage, but not concerned enough to leave him out of lineups.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Chase Brown's Rushing Role Under Pressure After Week 5 Split
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown has a scheme-driven threat to his early-down workload after Samaje Perine outcarried him 14-13 in Week 5. Brown had 58 rushing attempts across the first four games compared with just 13 for Perine, who then gained 68 yards on 14 carries and caught a touchdown in the 31-24 win over Miami. Brown managed 39 rushing yards, caught three passes for 21 yards, and lost a fumble. His 3.5 yards per carry this season adds to the concern, with 24 receptions keeping him in low-end RB2 territory for Week 7 at Baltimore. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said the downhill running approach used against Miami played to Perine's strengths and that the Bengals' weekly game plan would influence how the two share carries.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
