The Cincinnati Bengals will be without starting running back Giovani Bernard and linebacker Vontaze Burfict for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints
Giovani Bernard will miss his third straight game as he recovers from hip and shoulder injuries meaning rookie running back Jeremy Hill be the team’s starter when they take on Drew Brees and the Saints on Sunday, but he won’t be the only starter to miss the game for the 5-3-1 Bengals.
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Vontaze Burfict will also miss his third straight game after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
Bernard was able to work on the rehab field this week so his status for next week’s game could be more optimistic and he could return to the practice field, at least on a limited basis next week and gear up for his return to the field in Week 12.
Hill ran well in his first start in place of Bernard two weeks ago with 154 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard score, but was held in check last week against the Cleveland Browns when he was limited to 55 yards on 132 carries.
For fantasy football purposes he should be a strong play this week against the Saints, but his role moving forward when Bernard returns could muddy the waters a bit, but it is likely Hill received a bit more run than he did in the first half of the season, but not enough to hurt Bernard’s value when he returns.
The Bengals are in the thick of the AFC North division race and will need to overcome injuries to important players to remain in the picture as Terrence Newman and Andre Smith could miss the game as well or be limited in the game after missing practice earlier this week.
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