Bengals to have RB 'committee' if Joe Mixon can't play?

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) greets Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34). Albert Cesare / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Bengals to have RB 'committee' of Samaje Perine, Chris Evans if Joe Mixon can't play?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/7/21

The 3-1 Cincinnati Bengals may not have starting running back Joe Mixon in the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the 3-1 Green Bay Packers because of the ankle injury he suffered in last Thursday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It appears Cincinnati may not have a cemented RB1 at all for Week 5.

ESPN's Ben Baby and others confirmed Thursday that Mixon missed practice for the second consecutive day. On the surface, this development would suggest that backup Samaje Perine, who is second on the Bengals with 28 rushing yards on nine carries this season, would automatically jump to the top of the depth chart.

However, Cincinnati offensive coordinator Brian Callahan told reporters the Bengals may instead embrace a "committee" and split touches between Perine and rookie Chris Evans, who hasn't yet logged a carry but has three receptions for 40 yards:

For fantasy managers, this makes Bengals RB Chris Evans a much more viable streaming option.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 7, 2021

Perine is still the RB2 and will get more touches but Evans is the better pass-catching RB and could see the higher snap share on third downs. https://t.co/JYiLPiU59B
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 7, 2021

Matthew Berry of ESPN doesn't necessarily agree with Baby's assessment:

FYI on CIN RB a depth chart behind Mixon. Evans makes sense for deeper league PPR but if forced to start one (if Mixon is out) I prefer Perine for fantasy as well. https://t.co/BuN1xfYTqC
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) October 7, 2021

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that Mixon must complete at least some on-the-field work ahead of time to be cleared to face the Packers, meaning Taylor could rule the 25-year-old out by late Friday afternoon if the ball-carrier can't practice for a third straight day.

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