Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Phil Mafah

Friday, November 14, 7:33 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (ankle) didn't practice at all this week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 11 contest on Sunday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Perine is still banged up coming out of the team's bye, and his next chance to return will come in Week 12 against the New England Patriots. Chase Browns will continue to see most of the backfield touches for the Bengals this weekend, with rookie Tahj Brooks set to serve in the RB2 role. If Cincy wants more depth behind those two, they can elevate one of Gary Brightwell or Kendall Milton from their practice squad for Sunday's game. The 30-year-old Perine is merely a deep-league handcuff in point-per-reception formats if you have Brown rostered. He has 32 carries for 198 yards and a touchdown while adding seven catches for 30 yards in his nine games played in 2025.

Sunday, August 31, 4:05 PM

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Phil Mafah (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the regular season with a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason finale. The seventh-round pick out of Clemson showed flashes in the preseason with 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, good for a solid 3.9 yards per carry. Standing six-foot and weighing 234 pounds, Mafah's big-bodied, between-the-tackles style was impressive in his final college season, rushing for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns. His placement on IR is a setback, but with the Cowboys' current running back situation, a potential revolving door of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and Jaydon Blue, Mafah remains a potential contributor later in the season. He is worth a roster spot in deeper dynasty leagues. Still, his fantasy value will stay uncertain until he returns to full health and the backfield situation becomes clearer throughout the season.