Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (thumb), who left the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday with a thumb injury, avoided a serious injury and has not been ruled out for next Monday night's matchup against the Denver Broncos, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. An MRI exam ruled out significant damage to Perine's thumb. The 30-year-old veteran could play against his former team, the Broncos, but he won't be anywhere near the fantasy radar if he does. Perine saw his first rushing work of the season in Sunday's 48-10 blowout loss in Minnesota, carrying the ball four times for 21 yards before getting hurt. He will continue to handle a change-of-pace role behind starter Chase Brown if he's active, but it's unlikely to result in much volume or production, especially with backup quarterback Jake Browning now running Cincy's offense.
Sep 22, 2025 3:34 PM EST
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (right thumb) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Minnesota Vikings. He exited the contest late in the second quarter after fumbling the football. Cincinnati initially listed him as questionable before eventually downgrading him to out. He finishes Sunday's game with four carries, 21 rushing yards, four kick returns, 88 return yards, and the fumble. Tahj Brooks will operate as Chase Brown's backup until Perine is healthy again.
Sep 21, 2025 3:14 PM EST
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine caught only two passes for six yards in the Week 1 win over the Browns. It's hard to play worse than that. However, that's exactly what happened in Week 2 versus Jacksonville, with Perine finishing without a blip in any statistical category. While the 30-year-old continues to serve as the backup to running back Chase Brown, he likely won't be given many opportunities to produce in the Week 3 meeting with the Minnesota Vikings, no matter if he logs more than the 20 snaps he had against the Jags. With Jake Browning under center in place of the injured Joe Burrow (toe), Perine's outlook remains the same. Keep him out of any fantasy lineup on Sunday.
Sep 20, 2025 5:18 PM EST
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine had two catches for six yards in the Week 1 win over the Browns. The veteran re-signed with the Bengals during the offseason, marking his third stint with the team. Most assumed he'd be routinely involved. However, that wasn't the case versus Cleveland, with Perine logging only 13 offensive snaps compared to Chase Brown's 39. Tahj Brooks didn't do anything. While that suggests the 29-year-old has a firm grasp over the rookie for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, neither man isn't expected to have a consistent role in the offense moving ahead. That also applies to the Week 2 meeting with the Jags. As a result, fantasy managers should keep Perine on the bench. Better yet, he shouldn't even be on most fantasy rosters, although that could change if Brown gets hurt at some point throughout the 2025 campaign.
Sep 13, 2025 3:15 PM EST
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine agreed to a two-year deal in March, marking his third stint with the team. He spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he accounted for only two touchdowns. It's safe to say Perine was most productive during his previous tenure with the Bengals. However, Chase Brown is the undisputed No. 1 option on the depth chart, and he isn't projected to leave many snaps for Perine or rookie Tahj Brooks. Fantasy managers can expect the 29-year-old to get the bulk of his opportunities as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He may also get a few carries alongside Brooks. With that said, Perine likely won't get enough work to make him a viable fantasy option versus the Cleveland Browns, so managers should keep him out of the lineup.
Sep 6, 2025 1:59 PM EST
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine is expected to have a lesser version of the two-minute, passing-down role that he held near the end of his first tenure with the organization, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Perine spent the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons with the Bengals and secured 38 receptions in his final season with the team. After a year with Denver and a year with Kansas City, he's back in Joe Burrow's offense and will have somewhat of a role in the backfield. However, the 29-year-old is likely well past his prime, and Chase Brown showed enough to have confidence in him as a starting fantasy football running back in 2025. Either way, Perine could be worth rostering in deeper PPR setups based on this report.
May 1, 2025 3:25 PM EST
The Cincinnati Bengals are bringing back running back Samaje Perine on a two-year deal worth up to $3.8 million, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Perine spent was with the organization for four years before joining the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal last offseason. Overall, the 2017 fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma has rushed for 1,922 yards and nine touchdowns on 474 carries in 104 career games. The 29-year-old is a reliable pass-blocker and could carve out a role behind Chase Brown, but he has limited fantasy football upside barring a Brown injury.
Mar 10, 2025 3:44 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine will face the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 18. With Isiah Pacheco marked as out and Kareem Hunt listed as doubtful for this week's contest, Perine should handle the majority of touches out of the backfield. The 29-year-old receiving back will face the Broncos, who rank 15th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. Despite shouldering the load, Perine's ceiling will be lower with Carson Wentz under center this week. Perine is ranked RB44 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option this week. There is a possibility that Perine is fantasy-relevant through sheer volume on the ground and through the air, but scoring opportunities could be at a premium in this contest. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere.
Jan 4, 2025 10:59 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine took his lone carry for 13 yards and caught both of his targets for an additional 12 yards in the team's 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. He also racked up 104 yards on three kick returns with a long gain of 56. Despite logging 32% of Kansas City's snaps, Perine was held to only three touches out of the backfield, even though he was effective on his sole rush attempt. Backfield mate Kareem Hunt dominated backfield touches yet again, out-touching the 29-year-old 19-to-3, while Carson Steele registered three opportunities (one rush). With running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula) due back in short order, the journeyman RB will likely garner even less fantasy value than he does now. The Chiefs will line up against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders next Friday in Week 13.
Nov 25, 2024 2:47 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine will remain the primary backup with Isiah Pacheco (ankle) ruled out for the Week 11 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Perine hasn't done much in the rushing game, but has hauled in two receptions or more in each of the last three games. Kareem Hunt has seen a majority of the workload in the backfield and that will likely remain the case once again this weekend. Perine doesn't carry enough value to be considered a reliable streaming option for Week 11.
Nov 16, 2024 7:05 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine had one carry for 10 yards in the 30-24 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Perine's success came through the air as he connected with Patrick Mahomes on a seven-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The veteran running back finished the game with four catches for 25 yards and one touchdown. Perine was minimally involved on the ground but saw five targets in this contest. He is the clear passing downs back for Kansas City, but that role has yet to be particularly valuable this season. Perine should stay out of lineups for next week's matchup against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are tougher against the pass than the run, but Perine's role in the offense is not significant enough to start him confidently.
Nov 5, 2024 4:47 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine had five carries for 14 yards and a touchdown in the 17-10 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The veteran running back scored on a two-yard in the fourth quarter to give the Chiefs the lead. Perine had the second-most carries out of the backfield for Kansas City and averaged 2.8 yards per carry. Despite his receiving prowess, Perine did not have a single target in this contest. Perine ceded receiving work to Kareem Hunt, who had three targets against the Chargers. With the addition of Kareem Hunt and the eventual return of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, there will not be enough touches to go around in the Kansas City backfield. Perine will try to hold onto his secondary role against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5. If Steele redeems himself in the eyes of the coaches, Perine may be the odd back out. Despite the uncertainty at the position, the Saints are a good matchup for running backs. The Saints have allowed the fifth-most yards per carry to opposing offenses this season, so Perine should have decent running lanes. The Chiefs backfield is too crowded to know who to start, but there should be more clarity following next week's contest. Perine is a good stash candidate but is best left on benches until we know where he sits in the hierarchy.
Sep 30, 2024 4:37 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine is likely to see an increased workload during the Week 3 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Chiefs are expected to go with a running back by committee approach with Isiah Pacheco (leg) sidelined. The assumption is that rookie Carson Steele is going to be the primary back, but Perine should mixed in as well. The veteran back will probably take over the receiving duties in the backfield, which could be good news for fantasy managers in PPR formats. However, it's unknown exactly how the Chiefs plan to split up the workload on Sunday. That being said, Perine shouldn't be trusted as anything more than a low-end flex option in PPR formats.
Sep 22, 2024 10:08 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine is expected to fill the void left behind by Jerick McKinnon's departure, head coach Andy Reid said. Specifically, this means that Perine will primarily get involved as a pass-catcher and blocker. Reid also noted that Perine is an intelligent player who runs well. Last year, the veteran running back tallied 238 rushing yards, 455 receiving yards, and one touchdown. Given that he is a trusted pass-catcher in one of the NFL's best offenses, Perine could sneak into the RB3/FLEX tier in PPR leagues this year. However, he can be left on the bench in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sep 5, 2024 12:14 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that he expects running back Samaje Perine, who was just signed this week after being released by the division-rival Denver Broncos, to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of last year's AFC Championship. Although Perine will eventually have an opportunity to carve out a nice role on third downs for KC, the Chiefs won't overload him in the season opener, and he's currently listed as the RB4 on the depth chart behind starter Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and rookie Carson Steele. Perine's signing with the defending Super Bowl champions immediately gave him more upside in deep PPR leagues, but he's still only worth a bench stash, at best. Perine's addition to KC's backfield should also slightly worry Pacheco's fantasy managers.
Sep 1, 2024 1:43 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine received praise from his new head coach on Friday afternoon about his potential as a third-down back. According to Adam Teicher of ESPN, Reid expressed, "He's been a phenomenal third down back. The opportunity to have a guy in here that can do the run game and the pass game . . . That is a great addition." The 28-year-old running back signed with Kansas City earlier this week after being released by the Denver Broncos. Last season in Denver, Perine saw a career-high 50 receptions and 455 receiving yards, with an added 238 on the ground. With these recent comments, fantasy managers should expect Perine to serve in a similar role with the Chiefs, primarily entering the game in passing situations. However, Isiah Pacheco will still likely see the vast majority of backfield touches this upcoming season.
Aug 30, 2024 2:27 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said on Thursday he hopes newly signed running back Samaje Perine will be able to play in the regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens next Thursday. It sounds like the Chiefs want to put Perine on a crash course to learning their offense in time for Week 1, despite the tailback just signing with the team on Wednesday. The 28-year-old veteran power back was one of the more coveted RBs discarded to the scrap heap earlier during cutdown week, and he'll have a real opportunity to carve out a meaningful role in KC's backfield after piling up a whopping 6.7 yards per touch across 103 touches with the Denver Broncos a year ago. Lead back Isiah Pacheco remains a trusted workhorse starter, but the incumbent Clyde Edwards-Helaire could be relegated to RB3 duties when Perine acclimates to his new surroundings.
Aug 29, 2024 2:26 PM EST
The Kansas City Chiefs are signing veteran running back Samaje Perine to their active roster on Wednesday, according to sources. Perine quickly lands on his feet after he was cut by the division-rival Denver Broncos on Tuesday. The 28-year-old veteran will slot in as the RB4 for KC behind Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and rookie Carson Steele, but he could have the opportunity to find a bigger role as the season progresses. It's certainly an upgrade for Perine due to the offense alone, but the former fourth-rounder in 2017 out of Oklahoma is still probably no better than a late-round flier in very deep point-per-reception leagues at the moment. In his only year in Denver in 2023, he handled 53 carries for 238 yards and one touchdown on the ground while adding a career-high 50 receptions for 455 yards in 17 games.
Aug 28, 2024 1:39 PM EST
Running back Samaje Perine was officially released by the Denver Broncos on Tuesday. Perine was previously reported as a cut candidate if the Broncos could not find a trade partner. The Broncos are moving forward with a younger running back group featuring Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Audric Estime. Perine was a productive back with Denver in 2023 after several solid years with Cincinnati. He finished the season with 238 rushing yards and a touchdown on 4.5 yards per carry. More importantly, Perine caught 50 passes for 455 yards. That kind of production is sure to land Perine a job in 2024. His release opens up more opportunities for McLaughlin in the Denver offense. McLaughlin will now jump up to the No. 2 running back spot behind Williams.
Aug 27, 2024 6:55 PM EST
The Denver Broncos are expected to move on from veteran running back Samaje Perine, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The organization is engaged in trade conversations, but if they do not reach a deal before Tuesday's 4 p.m. EDT roster cutdown deadline, he could be released. This move was expected by many following the acquisition of former Notre Dame running back Audric Estime in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Denver backfield is crowded with Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Estime, so Perine has been viewed as the odd man out. Although Perine is unlikely to have a ton of fantasy value somewhere else, he could affect another running back and negatively impact their standing on the depth chart.
Aug 26, 2024 4:58 PM EST
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