Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Friday, September 29, 12:11 AM

Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine was expected to have a significant role in the backfield early on in his first year in Denver with Javonte Williams being eased in following a major knee injury in 2022. Perine looked pretty explosive on 12 touches in the season opener and played the same number of offensive snaps as Williams. But in the last two weeks, he's disappeared, combining for four carries for 13 yards and five catches for 35 yards. The Broncos understandably abandoned the run game in a 50-point loss to the Dolphins in Week 3, but his drop in involvement the last two weeks has been concerning. Rookie Jaleel McLaughlin has seen more carries and has even scored. The Chicago Bears are an extremely inviting matchup for RBs, but will Perine even see enough touches to be worth considering as an RB4/flex in fantasy? We have our doubts.

Saturday, September 23, 9:29 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire may be called upon for a more noticeable role if Isiah Pacheco (hamstring) is absent or limited for Sunday's game. The 24-year-old hasn't done much of note with his 10 touches this year, but could be looking at an advantageous setup in Week 3 versus the 0-2 Chicago Bears, who were pierced for fantasy's overall RB1 and RB9 finishes out of Aaron Jones and Rachaad White respectively in the first two contests. Chicago's defense has caved in as a run funnel unit in the early goings, and Edwards-Helaire could check in as a reasonable RB3/FLEX bet as the favorite for base work, but only if Pacheco is inactive for this one. Whoever handles the bulk of K.C.'s backfield touches should display plenty of touchdown upside with the Chiefs projecting as heavy favorites to come out on top.