Before running back Giovani Bernard was forced out of the lineup by hip and collarbone injuries, he was running ahead of rookie Jeremy Hill on the team’s depth chart.
Hill made the most of his opportunities with Bernard sidelined, however. Hill ran for 361 yards in the last three games, making a case for increased playing time even after Bernard was back in the mix.
On Wednesday, offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said that Hill’s case won him over. Jackson said Hill “deserves” a larger role than he was playing before Bernard got hurt and that he’ll give it to him while easing Bernard back into the lineup.
“Jeremy has done tremendous [work] and he has earned the right to play, there’s no question about that,” Jackson said, via ESPN.com.
Bernard and Hill complement each other well with Bernard well suited to work outside the tackles and in space while Hill fits the bill as a player who can plow his way to yards on the inside. The combination has the potential to be a potent one while also leaving the Bengals the option of riding the hotter player in a given week to give themselves their best chance to win.
