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2026 NFL backfield

Cincinnati Bengals running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Chase Brown

Preferred handcuff

Samaje Perine

Perine is the dated-chart RB2 and the trusted veteran behind Brown.

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Chase Brown’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

Ourlads' chart explicitly updated Sept. 8 lists Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, then Tahj Brooks. The Bengals' June position primer also says Perine figures to lead the group behind Brown, while the official Sept. 11 injury report lists no Bengals running back, supporting current availability without treating roster presence alone as game-day activation. This is a deviation from the deterministic Tahj Brooks choice.

Current dated ordering points to Perine. Cincinnati's Friday injury report contains no running back designation, and the club's role preview identifies Perine as the leader behind Brown.

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The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Cincinnati Bengals, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Cincinnati Bengals full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Chase BrownPublished starter		Three-down back2023 · Round 5 · Pick 163active
RB2
Samaje PerinePublished handcuff		Receiving back2017 · Round 4 · Pick 114active
RB3
Tahj Brooks		Early-down runner2025 · Round 6 · Pick 193active
Unlisted
Kendall Milton		Role under review2024 · Undraftedpractice squad
Unlisted
Kentrel Bullock		Role under reviewUndraftedpractice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Chase Brown

Age 26 · 4 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Cincinnati's every-down back and one of the few reasons PFF does not rank this room dead last. Explosive runner who has added slot alignments and route work in camp; his volume is safe with a healthy Joe Burrow in front of him.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2023 · Round 5 · Pick 163

Drafted by CIN; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 232 carries and 69 receptions on 88 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Receiving back

Samaje Perine

Age 30 · 10 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Veteran passing-down back and trusted blocker, valuable to the Bengals for protection and check-downs. At 30 he is not a 15-carry answer; Cincinnati would be in trouble on early downs if Brown missed extended time.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Chase Brown. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Chase Brown. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2017 · Round 4 · Pick 114

Drafted by WAS; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 15 recorded games include 84 carries and 17 receptions on 21 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Early-down runner

Tahj Brooks

Age 24 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Compact, powerful second-year back seen as a short-yardage option if he cracks the rotation. The most likely early-down fill-in behind Brown, but unproven with almost no NFL volume.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Chase Brown. The dated board currently prefers Samaje Perine for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Chase Brown, Samaje Perine. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 6 · Pick 193

Drafted by CIN; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 12 recorded games include 16 carries and 1 receptions on 2 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Kendall Milton

Age 24 · 1 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Kendall Milton is a second-year player listed by CIN at HB, from Georgia. The official roster lists him at 6-1 and 230 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2024 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Kentrel Bullock

Age 24 · Rookie · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Kentrel Bullock is a rookie listed by CIN at HB, from South Alabama. The official roster lists him at 5-10 and 204 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Chase Brown
1723269145616.6
Samaje Perine
1584174695.2
Kendall Milton
—————
Kentrel Bullock
—————
Tahj Brooks
12161540.5
Chase Brown: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1322 touches
Wk 1415 touches
Wk 1520 touches
Wk 1616 touches
Wk 1725 touches
Wk 1817 touches
Samaje Perine: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1316 touches
Wk 147 touches
Wk 1515 touches
Wk 169 touches
Wk 174 touches
Wk 1811 touches
Tahj Brooks: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 91 touches
Wk 111 touches
Wk 122 touches
Wk 150 touches
Wk 164 touches
Wk 174 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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