Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Saturday, September 13, 3:15 PM

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.

Thursday, September 11, 7:06 PM

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is a healthy inactive for the second straight week to open the season in 2025 on Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. There were rumblings at the end of training camp that Rodriguez could have a significant early-down role alongside rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt after the team traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers, but that has not been the case. The 24-year-old RB has opened the year as the No. 4 behind Croskey-Merritt, veteran Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols. JCR has the most upside of any back in Washington's offense as the favorite for most of the early down work, while Ekeler has flex appeal in point-per-reception leagues. At least for another week, Rodriguez belongs on the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy formats.