ChaseBrown

News: 2 days agoBrown (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Spin: Brown was activated from IR on Saturday, and he'll be in uniform for the first time since Week 6. In five games prior to landing in IR, the 2023 fifth-rounder carried just twice for six yards and caught three passes for seven yards, so until the rookie carves out a steady role behind top back Joe Mixon in a backfield that also includes Trayveon Williams, he'll be off the fantasy radar.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Brown was selected in the fifth round of April's draft. After a one-year stint at Western Michigan in 2018, Brown transferred to Illinois and his role progressively increased, leading to a breakout 355-touch, 1,883-yard, 13-TD showing in 12 games in 2022. His collegiate efficiency didn't jump off the page, but he was able to handle substantial volume as a rusher and also caught 27 of 30 targets in his final season. Brown was a big winner at the combine, pacing all RBs in the vertical (40 inches), broad jump (127 inches) and bench press (25), while running a 4.43 40-yard dash at 209 pounds. Brown will compete for No. 2 duties this season and could carry some fantasy value if Joe Mixon were to miss time. He's an underwhelming insurance hold in deeper formats.