Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Nick Chubb

Tuesday, December 16, 11:37 AM

Since returning in Week 13 from an ankle injury that caused him to miss two games, Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has recorded 135 scrimmage yards on 38 touches across three contests. While Bengals back Chase Brown remains the lead rusher in Cincinnati, Perine plays a third-down role that has led to a consistent snap share this season. He's played at least 37% of Cincinnati's offensive snaps in every game since returning from injury, giving him a chance at standalone fantasy value every week. Still, Perine's main utility for fantasy managers is as a handcuff option to Brown. If Brown were to go down over the final weeks of the season, Perine would likely dominate backfield snaps in Cincinnati. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Perine is worth targeting on the waiver wire and stashing in a bench spot.

Sunday, December 14, 11:49 AM

As expected, Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (ribs) will not play on Sunday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals in Week 15 due to a rib injury. Chubb injured his ribs in the Sunday night win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14 and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The 29-year-old returned to a limited practice on Friday, but it wasn't enough to clear him to play this weekend against Arizona. Even before his injury, Chubb had become a lackluster, low-upside RB3/flex option for fantasy managers as the No. 2 in Houston's backfield behind rookie Woody Marks. In his first year in Houston, the four-time Pro Bowler is averaging 4.1 yards per carry for 472 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 115 carries. Marks had a season-high 26 carries last week in KC and should be guaranteed another heavy workload in a great matchup against the Cardinals. Dare Ogunbowale figures to work as the RB2 behind Marks with Chubb out.