Bengals running back Samaje Perine gains larger role before Ravens game
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The gist
Bengals running back Samaje Perine had a season-high 68 yards on 14 carries in Week 5.
Cincinnati's 27th-ranked rushing attack may lean on him more against Baltimore.
Background
Samaje Perine is a Cincinnati Bengals running back, described as a dependable runner and receiver and a change-of-pace back behind starter Chase Brown. The Bengals are 3-2 coming off a Week 6 bye and rank 27th in the NFL in rushing at 82.8 yards per game, and the team wants more balance to help Joe Burrow and the passing attack. Cincinnati gave Perine a heavier workload in Week 5 and got good results, which is why his role is being discussed ahead of the Week 7 game against the Ravens.
How it unfolded
- Oct 19, 2026The Bengals come off a Week 6 bye at 3-2, ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing at 82.8 yards per game, ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens. Perine had a season-high 68 yards on 14 carries in Week 5, while Chase Brown averages 3.0 yards per carry.
- Oct 22, 2026Perine played 50% of snaps in Week 5 (14 carries, 68 yards, two receptions for 10 yards); Brown played 61%.
- Oct 23, 2026Perine's season stats stood at 110 rushing yards on 27 carries (4.1 per attempt), seven receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown, with 12 of his 34 touches producing first downs. In Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins he averaged 4.9 yards per carry to Brown's 3.0 and finished with a season-high 15.8 fantasy points.
- Oct 24, 2026Perine is described as trending up heading into the Week 7 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said the team will continually assess how the touch share between Perine and Chase Brown should play out, with the scheme factoring in.
- Analysts
- Keegan Nickoson of Roundtable Sports predicted Perine will slowly establish himself as the Bengals' No. 1 running back and could take the lion's share of a 55/45 split.
- Player
- Perine said he feels he becomes a stronger runner as games go on because he wears on defenses, adding that he does what he can when his number is called.
Still unverified
Rumors are swirling that the Bengals could target Jonathan Taylor or Tony Pollard in the trade market, with the expectation they see what they have with Perine as the No. 1 option first, per Roundtable Sports.