Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Dameon Pierce

Saturday, December 16, 10:54 AM

Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine (knee) was on the Week 15 injury report but has since been cleared and will play on Saturday evening against the Detroit Lions. Outside of maybe the deepest PPR setups, Perine is probably worth avoiding, especially against a Lions team that has allowed only 48 receptions on the year and zero receiving touchdowns to RBs. But although Perine was passed by rookie Jaleel McLaughlin around the midpoint of the season for the RB2 role in Denver, he has made a comeback and is once again the Broncos' preferred back on passing downs, catching all 15 of his targets for 112 yards (7.47 yards per reception) in the last four games. He's also added 11 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown. If the Broncos find themselves trailing big early, Perine could be more involved in the passing attack.

Saturday, December 23, 2:18 PM

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce should not be started in any format in Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns. Pierce is coming off the lowest usage game of his career, playing just four snaps. Last week, the second-year back totaled just one carry for three yards. The Texans' running back has found himself falling on the depth chart with Devin Singletary and Dare Ogunbowale playing more snaps than him in both of the past two games. Pierce can not be trusted in Week 16.