Perine the 3rd-down favorite

Bengals HC Zac Taylor said Monday that RB Samaje Perine has a “leg up” in the competition to be the 3rd-down back. Taylor also called Perine a "security blanket" while acknowledging that 2nd-year RB Chris Evans could still earn the role. The main takeaway here is that the team doesn't want to put too much on Joe Mixon's plate, despite his 3-down skill set. A Mixon injury would almost certainly lead to a timeshare.

Broncos RB Samaje Perine (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Chargers. He didn’t practice on Friday but is evidently heathy enough to suit up today. Perine will likely continue to handle obvious passing downs for Denver but isn’t a viable fantasy play.

Broncos RB Samaje Perine (knee) is expected to play vs. the Chargers today, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Perine figures to continue to play in passing situations but isn't a viable fantasy option.

Broncos RB Samaje Perine (knee) is questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Chargers. He was a full-go on Wednesday and Thursday but did not practice on Friday. Hopefully Perine wasn’t in your Week 14 fantasy plans. But his absence would be a boost to RB Javonte Williams’ target projection. Perine has averaged 3.3 targets per game this season.

Broncos rookie RB Jaleel McLaughlin grabbed attention with some high-efficiency performances earlier this season and briefly moved ahead of Samaje Perine in playing time and usage. McLaughlin has continued to garner a lot more carries than Perine, leading the veteran 22-4 in the four games since Javonte Williams returned from injury. But Perine has played more snaps than McLaughlin each of the past three games, including Monday night in the win over Buffalo. Perine's primary role obviously lies in passing situations, where he's splitting time with Williams. That hasn't meant more than 3 targets in a game since Williams returned. But it will limit McLaughlin's opportunities. McLaughlin has remained the touch leader between them over the past three games, but neither looks usable vs. Williams' current role -- unless you're desperate for an RB.

Broncos RB Samaje Perine left practice on Wednesday with a thumb injury. Perine walked to the locker room with Denver’s training staff, although HC Sean Payton downplayed the injury later on. We’re not expecting Perine to be limited for the start of training camp.

UPDATE: Perine's injury was a thumb bruise. Carry on.