Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Jordan James

Monday, September 22, 3:34 PM

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.

Saturday, September 20, 4:59 AM

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James (finger) logged a week of full practices for the first time this season and carries no designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. The rookie missed the season opener while recovering from a broken finger suffered in August, and was a healthy scratch in Week 2 after logging just one full practice that week. Expectations for James in Week 3 should be kept to a minimum. The 49ers have employed a steady rotation of Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr., with third-stringer Isaac Guerendo yet to see an offensive snap. Unless McCaffrey or Robinson succumbs to an injury, James can be left off fantasy football rosters.