Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Trevor Etienne

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.

Monday, October 6, 12:26 PM

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Trevor Etienne was in line for a bigger workload in Week 5 against the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday with starter Chuba Hubbard (calf) ruled out due to injury. Etienne did play a season-high 20% of the offensive snaps in the 27-24 victory, but he only handled five touches (four carries and one reception), while Rico Dowdle had a career day with 23 rushing attempts for 206 yards and a touchdown. Dowdle also caught three of his four targets for 28 yards in the passing game. Etienne ran for 22 yards on his four carries and picked up seven yards on his lone reception against Miami. The 21-year-old could be right back to RB3 duties in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys if Hubbard is able to overcome his calf injury and get back on the field at practice this week. Even if Hubbard misses another game, Etienne isn't going to be in play as a starting flex option in fantasy lineups on Sunday.