Cedric

Peerman

Peerman was active 15 times last season, but played primarily on special teams. He carried the ball just three times for 15 yards. He’s unlikely to be a part of the Bengals’ plan to replace Cedric Benson.

We don’t have many details here other than the fact that Scott appears questionable for the first two preseason games. Cedric Peerman is expected to handle change-of-pace duties behind starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis in the meantime. But as long as the injury doesn’t linger, the Scott remains a decent running back flier in fantasy circles.

The Bengals could also turn elsewhere if neither impresses, but for now Herron and Peerman are competing for one job behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bernard Scott, and Brian Leonard. Beat writer Joe Reedy expects the No. 4 spot to come down to special teams production. It was a strength for Peerman last season, as he tied for second on the Bengals with 13 special teams tackles.

“I think he will get more and more as the season goes on. It just depends on how the game goes,” Gruden said. “I think it’s important to get Cedric some more touches. He’s earned that right and gives us a little change of pace.” Peerman is a replacement-level talent, but he offers more speed and playmaking ability than starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis. It’s yet another reason to be down on Green-Ellis’ value for the rest of the season.

With Brian Leonard (ribs) healthy, Peerman was relegated to special teams. His eight-catch outburst from Week 6 is a distant, fluky memory.

Don’t read too much into this. Peerman broke off 32 of these yards when he took a direct snap on a fake punt. He didn’t play on third downs with Brian Leonard healthy. Peerman is going to get 4-6 carries most weeks to give BenJarvus Green-Ellis a breather, but that won’t be enough most weeks.

Peerman was considered a strict special teamer until Bernard Scott went down. Since then, he’s jumped into the change-of-pace role feet first and excelled. Over the last three games, he’s averaged 7.3 carries for 52.3 yards. “Now that we have (Peerman) as the number two, he’s been able to take advantage of his reps,” Gruden said. “We had a feeling he would be pretty good but you don’t know until you give him those reps.”

Averaging just 2.58 yards per carry the past three weeks, Green-Ellis’ snap-count dipped below 50 percent versus the Dolphins in Week 5. Neither Leonard nor Peerman is worthy of a roster spot in 12- and 14-team leagues, but they seem certain to eat into Green-Ellis’ already shaky fantasy value.

Expect Cedric Peerman to fill in as the third-down back versus the Steelers this week. Peerman’s reception total was artificially inflated by the Bengals’ comeback mode in last week’s loss. He’s not a recommended fantasy option in PPR leagues.

Peerman had just seven carries on the year coming into this afternoon. He played an entire series with the game still in doubt in the second quarter. Peerman notched two more totes and three more touches than Brian Leonard, but didn’t do enough to put serious heat on underwhelming lead back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Appearing to surpass Leonard is a good first step for Peerman’s potential fantasy value, however. He’s worth monitoring, but not adding, in exceptionally-deep leagues.