After an injury to starting running back Isiah Pacheco late in the Kansas City Chiefs‘ win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the defending champions might need to look to the rest of the depth chart to drive the running game for the near future.
While undrafted rookie Carson Steele has received most of the non-Pacheco carries thus far, veteran Samaje Perine is waiting in the wings to make an impact. Let’s talk about whether Perine could be a positive addition to your fantasy football team.
Should Samaje Perine Be Added on the Fantasy Waiver Wire in Week 3?
Steele has nine carries through the Chiefs’ first two games, while Perine hasn’t recorded one yet. However, there’s reason to believe that both could have a significant role going forward.
Steele has had a regular offseason and preseason with the team, giving him time to fully acclimate to the unique Kansas City system. Meanwhile, Perine only joined the squad in the waning days of August.
Samaje Perine to @adamteicher on the #Chiefs program: Simply responding "Winning." — Also more on his move to KC, Andy Reid's call with him and learning a new playbook so quickly: "It's not ideal, but we got to make the most of it." pic.twitter.com/9Hu33yOJEI
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) September 2, 2024
Now, with a couple of weeks of preparation and gamedays under his belt, Andy Reid and the rest of the Kansas City offensive staff could be ready to let Perine loose, especially now that their collective hand has been forced to a degree. Steele is an exciting young player, but giving him Pacheco’s full workload right out of the gate could prove to be a daunting task.
MORE: Carson Steele Fantasy Waiver Wire Outlook
Interestingly enough, despite his lack of a role as a rusher, Perine has picked up a reception in both games he’s played with the Chiefs thus far, while Steele has not recorded any catches this year. Pacheco picked up a couple of catches per game with the Chiefs last year, so if Steele isn’t going to be much of a receiver — which he wasn’t in college — that’s a role Perine could fill.
Overall, it’s hard to imagine anything other than a committee approach being taken with the two backs. With the Chiefs set to be favored in their next couple of games, a run-heavy script could be in store, with plenty of carries for both.
While we know that Pacheco will miss time, it’s not yet clear how long he will be out. He left Arrowhead Stadium with crutches and a walking boot, and it was reported on Monday morning that he had suffered a fractured fibula.
MORE: How Long Will Isiah Pacheco Be Out? Latest Injury Update
There’s no guarantee that either Perine or Steele will have production when Pacheco comes back, so until there’s clarity on the severity of his injury, it’s hard to know the immediate fantasy value of either. If you’re in dire need, especially if that’s because Pacheco is on your team, consider picking up Perine, but certainly don’t make a concerted effort to clear out roster space for him.