Samaje Perine

After a slow start to the year, Brown has quietly turned into one of the league's most efficient runners over the past two months. He has averaged over five yards per carry in five of his past six games. Burrow's return kept that momentum rolling as he posted 5.2 yards per carry. With Tee Higgins out this week, Brown also stepped up through the air, tying Ja'Marr Chase for a team high in catches. Brown has at least six catches in three of his past four appearances. The only downside of his Week 13 performance is that Samaje Perine mixed in for 14 carries. Perine was far less effective, averaging a measly 2.8 YPC, but the Bengals' coaching staff didn't seem to care. He will continue to be a thorn in Brown's side heading into Week 14. A phenomenal matchup versus the Bills' run defense will keep Brown in the RB1 mix next week.

Perine missed the previous two games with an ankle injury but was cleared to play early this week. The Bengals immediately split their backfield in two, giving Perine just one fewer carry than Chase Brown. The latter, of course, was far more efficient, running for 5.2 yards per carry compared to 2.8 for Perine. Perine also coughed up a red zone fumble late in the game. He still saw carries on the next drive, meaning his coaches weren't deterred by the mistake. Perine doesn't hold much fantasy value heading into Week 14, but he will be a thorn in the side of fantasy managers hoping for a better workload from Brown.

Bengals RB Samaje Perine (ankle) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice. That puts him on track to return for Thursday night's game vs. the Ravens. Perine had worked his way into about one-third of the backfield work before going down with a high-ankle sprain in Week 9. RB Chase Brown has been excellent without Perine the last two weeks, though, totaling 206 yards on 5.6 yards per carry and catching eight of 12 targets. We're expecting Perine to steal some work from Brown going forward -- but not as much as he was before the ankle injury. Brown remains a strong Week 13 fantasy start.

It's an estimation, but it's a rapid recovery from Perine after being doubtful for Week 12. Perine left Week 9 against the Bears with a high-ankle sprain and has not played since. His return would prevent Chase Brown from hogging the whole workload pie against the Ravens, much to the chagrin of Brown-reliant managers.

No surprise that a player in protocol will miss a short-week game. Brooks' absence will leave the Bengals with little behind Chase Brown unless Samaje Perine is able to return from a high-ankle sprain on Thursday. Gary Brightwell, a special teamer, is the only other back on the roster. Kendall Milton is hanging out on the practice squad. Don't be surprised to see Bengals RB workouts ahead of Thursday's game. Trey Hendrickson (hip) was also ruled out for Thursday, as usual.