Joe Mixon left the field late against the Jaguars in Week 4 with what has since been diagnosed as a minor ankle sprain, according to the Bengals Wire. His injury has been labeled a week-to-week setback, potentially leaving the door open for fifth-year back Samaje Perine. It's unclear if Mixon will play against the Packers in Week 5 — or if you'd want to rely on him if he does play — making Perine an intriguing fantasy waiver wire target.
Rostered in only 3% of Yahoo! leagues as of writing, Perine could be the short-term loan that sets you up for the coming weeks depending on how Mixon recovers. But how aggressively should you target Perine? Our trio of analysts break down his potential value and how much of your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) to bid in order to roster him.
Target Samaje Perine On Fantasy Waiver Wire?
Chris Raybon
Bengals coach Zac Taylor clouded Mixon’s outlook when he called him “day-to-day” after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Mixon is “week-to-week.” I’d tend to trust Schefter more than a coach who was also optimistic about Mixon’s return after he went down in Week 6 last year despite Mixon going on to … never actually return.
Perine had a 17-touch, 136-yard, two-TD performance in Week 16 last season and would be a mid-range RB2 if Mixon is out against the Packers in Week 5.
Sean Koerner
Mixon's ankle injury has left him week-to-week and he is not expected to play in Week 5. The top short-term add while he recovers is likely Perine, considering he should inherit much of Mixon's role. Rookie Chris Evans will likely be the main pass-catching back (à la Gio Bernard), which caps Perine's upside.
That said, the Bengals have been run heavy this season and the strength of their offensive line has been a pleasant surprise. Perine should be a mid-to-low range RB2 while Mixon is out. He is worth a higher bid (30-35%) if you are desperate for short-term RB help and a W.
Samantha Previte
With Mixon suffering an ankle injury late in Thursday's game, concern about his Week 5 status is certainly warranted. The Bengals' star has been listed as day-to-day and week-to-week, though head coach Zac Taylor told the media he was among the team's injured players "trending in the right direction" to play this week against the Packers, according to ESPN.
Perine would be the next man up, though he has seen very limited work this year. He has appeared in all four games and tallied nine rushes for 28 yards and caught three of four passes for 30 yards. It's certainly not a bad idea to roster him as an insurance policy given Mixon's speckled injury history, but I wouldn't go out breaking the bank for what could be a one-week rental (or less if Mixon starts this week). He's a stay away for me if I'm okay at running back. If you're super needy at the position, I'd be willing to spend up to 10% of my FAAB and temper expectations.
