Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Nyheim Hines

Saturday, October 11, 1:42 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine had only 52 yards off nine carries in the first five games of the 2025 campaign, adding four receptions for eight yards. While most assumed Chase Brown would lead the way out of the backfield this season, fantasy managers are still disappointed with Perine's lack of involvement and production. The 30-year-old logged 29 snaps in the Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions, suggesting more involvement could be on the horizon for the Week 6 meeting with the Green Bay Packers. However, until Perine does something meaningful to benefit managers, it's best to leave him out of any fantasy lineup versus the Packers. That outlook likely won't change in the weeks ahead unless Brown goes down with an injury.

Saturday, October 11, 8:37 PM

According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the Los Angeles Chargers elevated Nyheim Hines off the practice squad ahead of the Week 6 meeting with the Miami Dolphins, marking his first taste of regular-season action since 2022. Najee Harris (Achilles) is done for the rest of the season, and Omarion Hampton (ankle) will miss at least the next four contests. As a result, Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are expected to split carries out of the backfield, presumably leaving Hines with the leftover scraps. It's unknown how long Hines will suit up for the Bolts moving ahead, especially if the team brings in another running back sometime soon. Either way, Haskins, Vidal, and Hines won't be relevant from a fantasy standpoint once Hampton is cleared to return.