Small injury scare shows Bengals need to get outside help at key spot

The Cincinnati Bengals need some help at running back. 

That didn’t seem like a red-button need going into training camp, as names like Tajh Brooks were set to take part in what should have been a pretty interesting battle behind Chase Brown and Samaje Perine. 

But the third-running back battle has been anything but interesting. In fact, it’s starting to look dire. 

During Monday’s practice, Perine briefly exited, as captured by CLNS Media’s Mike Petraglia: 

Bengals trainer Matt Summers tending to Samaje Perine, who was slow to get up after last series on a short pass over the middle. pic.twitter.com/KmytnvZaC6

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) August 24, 2026

Perine later returned, but the injury scare is enough to raise some eyebrows. If he gets hurt, the underwhelming summers for Boyd, Gary Brightwell, Kendall Milton and others really become problematic. 

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the positional value of running back makes it pretty easy to find help. It won’t cost all that much via free agency, the waiver wire or even trade to go get a capable veteran third back to make sure the depth chart is secure on the chance injuries strike. 

Given the time it might take to onboard a new player though, if the Bengals are going to do it, the front office will need to make it happen soon. 

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Small injury scare shows Bengals need to get outside help at key spot