Week 13 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
With Joe Mixon on the shelf last week, Samaje Perine received 21 touches for 93 yards and a touchdown. He showed he can fill the void if Mixon is out although the starting running back for Cincy is expected to return. That would push Perine back to his usual role which includes around 10 touches
Perine will face the Chiefs who are ranked 13th in aFPA to running backs. If Mixon does play, Perine will get some fantasy points but not enough to warrant a start for Week 13.
Week 12 at Tennessee Titans
We have written many times that Samaje Perine would be fantasy relevant only if Joe Mixon doesn't play and that happened last week. Perine ended up with 15 touches for 82 yards. A lot of the damage came in the passing game where he had four catches where three of them resulted in touchdowns.
Perine is expected to be the starter on Sunday as Mixon is out with a concussion. The matchup won't be easy as the Titans are ranked 5th in aFPA to running backs. Perine should get all of Mixon's touches but don't forget he still a level below the starting running back.
Start Perine as a high-end RB3 or Flex for Week 12. He would be a solid RB2 if it wasn't for the Tennessee defense and their ability to limit the run game.
Week 11 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Samaje Perine played 36% of the snaps last game and had a season-high 51 yards rushing. He had only one other game over 17 yards this season. The reason for the playing time because Joe Mixon had an early exit after scoring 4 touchdowns in a blowout win.
There just enough playing time from Perine to justify him being on a roster at this time, but if he got more regular reps or Mixon was hurt, he has proven he can produce in the NFL.
Week 9 vs. Carolina Panthers
Samaje Perine hasn't gotten more than 7 touches since Week 3, but with Ja'Marr Chase out and a favorable matchup against Carolina who is ranked 24th in aFPA to running backs.
Perine should be more involved in the offense, and although we still think he should remain on the bench, he can be inserted as a RB3 or Flex if the bye week has your bench thin.
Week 8 at Cleveland Browns
Samaje Perine continues to get between 25%-30% of the offensive snaps so the production has also been low with 3 or 4 touches per game. Perine is on the radar because of the very good matchup against the Browns poor run defense. However, he should only be considered in really deep leagues. For everyone else he is on the bench for Week 8.
Week 4 vs. Miami Dolphins
Samaje Perine should now be on your fantasy radar after his output last Sunday. He played a season-high 34% of the snaps but more importantly produced 61 total yards on 11 touches and he also scored a touchdown. He outgained and outscored starter Joe Mixon.
Perine is someone to keep an eye on to see if those touches continue. For now, he is still depth if you have him on your roster and he is also a good collar for Mixon who has had injury issues this season.
Week 9 vs. Cleveland
Samaje Perine didn't have any carries last week, but he did catch the ball twice for 18 yards. He is strictly depth or more likely a collar for Joe Mixon at this point as he only played 25% of the snaps last week. Until we see more fantasy numbers, keep him on the waiver wire.
Week 17 vs. Baltimore
Samaje Perine rushed for 95 yards last Sunday even though starter Giovani Bernard had more carries. Perine made big splash plays which included two touchdown runs. It was only the third time this season he had double-digit carries this season.
The Ravens are up next and are ranked 20th in aFPA to running backs. Baltimore is playing for a playoff spot which means all their healthy starters will be on the lineup. Despite the offensive resurgence by Cincy and Perine's performance last week, keep him on the bench for Week 17.
Week 11 at Washington
With Joe Mixon out, Samaje Perine has been entrenched in the backup spot behind Giovani Bernard. He has averaged almost 10 touches per game during that two-game span. He has a total of 89 yards in those two games.
Even if Perine keeps playing in this role, he doesn't have enough value to be considered for a starting lineup, and he probably is not worth a roster spot unless Mixon is determined to be out long-term.
Week 17 at New York Giants
Washington will look to finish the season on a high note, with most starters playing in Week 17, unless injured. Samaje Perine will again be the primary ball-carrier against a Giants defense that is just 29th in aFPA vs. RBs. Despite tweaking his groin last week, Perine still got 16 touches. Consider him a FLEX, at worst, in Week 17.
