The Cincinnati Bengals have split carries this season between 2013 second-rounder Giovani Bernard and rookie second-rounder Jeremy Hill. Both have found success. In the three games since Bernard has returned from injury, he's averaged 13 touches per game to Hill's 15.7. But after Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in which the pair managed a total of just 103 rushing yards, changes could be coming to Cincinnati's offense.
Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson hinted that the team could start implementing more of a one-back system.
"I'm used to having one guy kind of dominate some carries because, in order for backs to be really good, they've got to get lathered up to play," Jackson said to the media. "You've got to get a feel for the game.
"We have two capable guys and they're different guys and we'll let it play itself out, but we have a pretty good idea which way we're headed."
Obviously, fantasy owners want to know which running back is in line to take over. ESPN Bengals reporter Coley Harvey expects the lead rusher to be Hill.
"Logic stands to reason that if the Bengals start going in the direction of a one-back system, rookie Jeremy Hill would be the back they turn to," Harvey wrote.
"Of the Bengals' two starting ball carriers, Hill has the most yards and a higher rushing average. In the three games in which he was the feature back while Bernard rested from a series of injuries, Hill stole the show. Twice in that three-week stretch he topped the 150-yard mark."
Hill may be in line to get more carries in the short term, but ESPN's KC Joyner still believes Bernard has more long-term upside.
"Injuries have hampered Bernard's production of late, but posting double-digit point totals in 12 of his first 23 pro games provide an indication of how well he can carry an RB1 fantasy football role when healthy," Joyner wrote. "The major concern for Bernard is whether Jeremy Hill could turn the Cincinnati backfield into a lead/alternate setup with Hill as the lead back, but that doesn't seem likely to happen."
