Running Back · Cincinnati Bengals
Samaje Perine — 2026 Fantasy Outlook
Source dated 2026-09-07 · issued Sep 8, 2026, 12:06 AM EDT · season-long source; availability updates continue through kickoff.
Source dated 2026-09-07 · issued Sep 8, 2026, 12:06 AM EDT · PPR rank · Season-long projection
Analysis by Shawn Childs, from his 2026 guide — his words, unedited.
Over the past 10 seasons. Perine has worked as a rotational back for Washington, Cincinnati, Miami, Denver, and Kansas, while having his best touch opportunity (175/603/1 with 22 catches for 182 yards and one score) in his rookie season in 2017. He has been a serviceable RB2 over the past six seasons (370/1,653/11 with 171 catches for 1,413 yards and six touchdowns on 206 targets), highlighted by gaining 4.5 yards per carry and 8.3 yards per catch.
The Bengals barely used Perine over their first games (22/99 with six catches for 24 yards), followed by a flash game (100 combined yards with one touchdown and one catch on 10 touches). He missed Week 11 and Week 12 with an ankle issue. Cincinnati gave him 10.3 touches per game over their last six games (52/184/2 with 10 catches for 57 yards), despite gaining only 3.5 yards per rush and 5.7 yards per catch.
Fantasy Outlook
Perine showed fade late in 2025, but he still has a high enough skill set to win the Bengals’ handcuff running back opportunity. Full Cincinnati Bengals outlook →
Get Shawn's free 2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
Every breakdown like this one, plus his tiers and the top-200 cheat sheet. One email, instant download.