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    Brown ‘at the center’ of offensive twists

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    CIN Running Back #30
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    The Athletic’s Paul Dehner, Jr. reports Chase Brown has been “at the center of unique twists” in the Bengals offense during training camp.

    Brown, according to Dehner, is “being used all over the formation,” similar to the way Ja’Marr Chase has been deployed in recent years. Brown lines up in the slot and runs a slant one play, then takes a jet sweep the next. He’s part of 20 personnel with two running backs, motions into the backfield, behind a fullback and almost any other spot imaginable.” The Bengals are preparing to use motion at a much higher rate than they have during the Joe Burrow era, especially when Burrow is under center. It’s led to some early camp struggles, per Dehner. “We all got to prepare a little bit more, at least I do, a lot for the motions and playing F and wherever they are putting me takes a little extra study time because I haven’t really done that before,” Brown said. “It’s cool they trust me doing that and believe in my skill set enough. It’s been fun.” Dehner said the team’s “pre-snap eye candy and under-center emphasis have helped establish a refreshed run game” ahead of the 2026 season. Brown’s pass game involvement should give him every chance to be a top-5 back in PPR formats.
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  • CIN Running Back #30
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    It was a big pass-catching day for Brown, who saw 11-of-54 total Bengals targets on the day. After Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) exited, Brown and Tee Higgins saw massive upticks in usage. Brown saw 57 backfield snaps, catching a series of checkdowns and wheel routes despite just 10 rushing yards on the day. He worked ahead of Samaje Perine on passing downs, a good sign for his fantasy production moving forward. We don’t expect Brown to consistently see this many targets but a high backfield share gives him a consistent fantasy floor. Brown is a fringe RB1 for Week 5 against the Dolphins.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Brown was effective with the opportunities he received, but the Bengals did all of their damage through the air in this one, as Joe Burrow and the company aimed to keep pace with a surprisingly explosive Steelers offense. As far as the Bengals’ backfield is concerned, Brown continues to be the only game in town. He handled 71.4 percent of the Bengals’ running back opportunities in this one but has only one touchdown to show for his efforts this season. He’ll be a fringe RB1/RB2 in next week’s game against the Jaguars.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    He “added” three catches for two yards on five targets, getting absolutely exploded by Kamari Lassiter on one of them. He also had a 20-ish yard run called back for holding. Brown looked quick and able, but the Bengals ran just two plays inside the Texans red zone all game. He played on 42-of-60 snaps per PFF. Brown will be in the low-end RB1 ranks against the Steelers in Week 3.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    It was neither an efficient nor prolific outing for the Bengals’ lead back, but he found the end zone and out-touched No. 2 Samaje Perine 21-8. It was a full “as expected” day in the Bengals’ backfield. Brown will remain in the RB10-14 range for Week 2 against the Texans. That’s a tough defensive matchup, albeit one the similarly offensive-minded Bills just handled with ease.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Dehner has been covering the Bengals’ intent to increase the number of plays run from under center all summer. Last season, “the Bengals ran from under center 120 times on early downs. The league average was 210.” Per Dehner, it has become clear “over the weeks that the under-center offense would not be going away.” The Bengals are committed to changing their ways in pursuit of more explosive gains. Starting RB Chase Brown is a locked-in RB1.
  • CIN Quarterback #9
    Late in June, The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. reported that QB Joe Burrow had agreed to try out more under-center concepts in spring practices. The Bengals’ quarterback prefers to operate from shotgun, but the offense has struggled to generate explosive pass and run plays in recent seasons. Meanwhile, 2025 playoff teams notably thrived under center, prompting a potential schematic switch in Cincinnati this year. Dehner previously reported on Brown’s efficiency leaps when switching from shotgun to under center. Burrow and his wide receiver should, theoretically, receive an efficiency bump from the intended changes as well. This is exciting for fantasy football purposes.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Brown was reported to be discussing an extension with the Bengals in January, but nothing came of that. Dehner believes the $14.3 million franchise tag number for running backs “speaks the Bengals’ language as they continue to work on a potential longer deal for him.” Brown, entering his age-26 season, remains a fringe fantasy RB1 in Cincinnati’s wide-open offense. It doesn’t seem like there’s any danger of a holdout or anything of the sort here.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Dehner reports that the Bengals have rigorously practiced lining up under center in spring practices. He believes they will remain a shotgun-first team, but thinks they could improve on their 31st under-center ranking by more than 10 spots. Among the top-40 qualifiers from 2024-25, Brown averages 5.1 yards per carry (fourth) and a 12.3 percent explosive run play rate (third) on runs when QB Joe Burrow lines up under center. From shotgun formation, Brown averages 4.5 (24th) and 7.3 percent (22nd), respectively. Even a minimal increase in under-center snaps would benefit Brown. The Bengals believe TE Erick All’s (knee) return gives them the needed flexibility to do so. He is capable of motioning into the backfield as a fullback, and “setting the edge with vicious crack blocks and overall serving as a hammer in front of Brown in the run game.” Brown finished as the RB7 last year and is being drafted as the consensus RB10 in best ball. Beating that ADP seems plausible.
  • CIN Wide Receiver
    Baby’s practice notes indicate that incumbent No. 3 WR Andrei Iosivas and No. 1 TE Mike Gesicki are the other two competitors for the role, and both players “had productive springs.” Pitcher also said RB Chase Brown “can sometimes be viewed as a slot receiver,” but those types of comments are common in the summer and rarely pan out in the fall. Iosivas and Gesicki have been helpful contributors, but the fact that the team is searching for an answer at the No. 3 receiving role is indicative of their ceilings. Pitcher believes Young is “going to fight and battle” this summer, and thinks there are things Young “can do quickly and help us.” If he can actually become the team’s third-most voluminous target earner, he could pay off as a late-round best ball pick.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Brown had an uneven fantasy season as he was disastrous pre-Joe Flacco and the Bengals simply couldn’t get the ground game going, but came on strong in the second half of the season and wound up with a 69/437/5 receiving line. Entering his age-26 season and the final year of his rookie contract, an extension would seem to make sense given the Bengals don’t exactly have anyone waiting in the wings. 2025 sixth-rounder Tahj Brooks is the closest thing Cincinnati has to a prospect at the position, and he only managed 47 offensive snaps in his rookie season.

Rotoworld

  • BAL Quarterback #8
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Lamar Jackson (ankle) has a “real chance” to return in Week 6 against the Browns.

    Jackson was ruled out for Week 5 on Friday after failing to practice once this week. Rapoport added that Jackson has been “working like crazy” to get back on the field next week. Per Rapoport, that is Jackson’s goal. Tyler Huntley will start for as long as Jackson remains sidelined.
  • WAS Wide Receiver #17
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    NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports Terry McLaurin is a “true game-time decision” for Week 5 against the Giants.

    McLaurin is listed as questionable for Week 5 after getting in a single limited practice on Friday. Even if he does play, McLaurin will likely be on a pitch count. Stefon Diggs has already been ruled out with a hamstring issue of his own. Rookie Antonio Williams will be asked to step up whether or not McLaurin is active.
  • IND Wide Receiver #10
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    ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Keenan Allen (groin) is expected to play in Week 5 against the Steelers.

    Allen missed Week 4 with the groin issue but returned to practice this week and even managed a full session on Friday. The team still listed him as questionable, though he appeared to be on the right side of that designation heading into the weekend. Allen will be a low-ceiling WR4 for his date with the Steelers.
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Jake Matthews (groin) is expected to play in Week 5 against the Ravens.

    The Falcons’ left tackle has started 199 consecutive games in his career. His streak appeared to be in jeopardy early in the week, but the iron-man tackle practiced in full on Friday, putting him on the right side of questionable for today’s game. He should be good to go for Week 5.
  • NE Defensive Tackle #90
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Christian Barmore (shoulder) is expected to play in Week 5 against the Raiders.

    Barmore missed Week 4 with the shoulder injury but appears to be good to go for today’s matchup with Las Vegas. He was listed as questionable after practicing in full on Friday. Baremore has one sack on six pressures this season.
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) is expected to play in Week 5 against the Raiders.

    Stevenson already told reporters on Friday that he was “ready to go”, so this news item doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Stevenson will continue to operate as the Pats’ top option in high-leverage situations, though he could cede more work between the 20s to TreVeyon Henderson. Both backs are stuck as low-ceiling RB3 options this week.
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Marlon Humphrey (hamstring/calf) is expected to play in Week 5 against the Falcons.

    Humphrey logged one limited practice this week before being listed as questionable for Week 5. He’s one of several key defenders dealing with an injury heading into Sunday Night Football. EDGE Trey Hendrickson has already been ruled out, while S Kyle Hamilton is questionable with a groin injury. Even with some missing names, this defense still looks like a true test for Michael Penix.
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, “There are doctors around the NFL who believe it’s a matter of when, not if, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels hurts his left elbow again.”

    Schefter immediately added the caveat that the “overwhelming opinion” among doctors was that playing with a brace was a viable option. Daniels reportedly contemplated surgery after dislocating his elbow for the second time in less than a year. He opted against it and missed two games. Daniels is now set to return for Week 5 against the Giants. The Commanders could scale back his rushing for the time being, but OC David Blough already dismissed the idea that the playbook would be limited because of Daniels’ elbow injury.
  • NO Running Back #41
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Alvin Kamara (back) is expected to play in Week 5 against the Vikings.

    Kamara is listed as questionable with a back injury. He logged two limited practices this week. In the absence of Travis Etienne, Kamara has become the leader of a three-back committee. He only saw seven carries last week but did manage five catches on seven targets. Kamara is a PPR RB3 for his date with the Vikings.
  • MIN Wide Receiver #18
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Justin Jefferson will work out pregame to determine his status for Week 5 against the Saints.

    The same is true of Jordan Addison. Both Minnesota wideouts are currently listed as questionable for Week 5. Jefferson is from Louisiana and has already told reporters he plans to play in the homecoming game. We expect him to suit up, but fantasy managers should have a backup plan for him and Addison to be safe.