Giovani Bernard

Cincinnati Bengals beat writer Geoff Hobson is reporting running back Giovani Bernard is "looking great in his ACL rehab," but doesn't believe the team "wants to rush him back into the first couple of regular-season games."

Fantasy Impact

Although Hobson believes the Bengals could hold Bernard out of the first few regular season games in 2017, the beat writer doesn't think the ailing rusher will open the year on the PUP list. Since this is only speculation, and it is still June, Bernard's fantasy value shouldn't take too much of a hit. However, if there is no improvement with Bernard's health as the offseason progresses, his ADP will likely fall heading into fantasy draft season. In his absence, Joe Mixon, who has been highly touted at OTAs, is expected to assume Bernard's role in the backfield.

Cincinnati Bengals beat writer Katherine Terrell is reporting running back Giovani Bernard (ACL) is expected to be limited for the start of OTAs on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact

Bernard, who is eight months removed from tearing his ACL, is on track to be a limited participant for the start of OTAs on Tuesday. However, what is concerning for his 2017 outlook is his questionable role on Cincinnati's offense. The Bengals shook up their backfield this offseason parting ways with Rex Burkhead and adding Joe Mixon in the recent NFL Draft. As Mixon is likely to challenge Jeremy Hill for his starting job, Bernard's role as the team's primary receiver out of the backfield, plus, the change of pace back, is presumably safe. I'd still target Bernard as the starter's handcuff, whomever that will be.

Cincinnati Bengals beat writer Geoff Hobson believes running back Giovani Bernard (ACL) will not begin the 2017 season on the PUP list. "I’m willing to wager that barring a setback he [Bernard] won’t go on PUP," Hobson said via Bengals.com. "Maybe he’ll miss the first one or two games of the regular season, but I think that’s it. That’s merely a gut call, so we’ll see. After what happened with Tyler Eifert’s ankle I’ll leave medical speculation to the journals."

Fantasy Impact

Bernard suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 11 of the 2016 regular season and was placed on IR shortly after. Bernard, who underwent surgery to repair the knee, is not expected to begin the 2017 campaign on the PUP list but could miss the first "one or two games," per reports. Barring a setback, he will likely enter next season in his usual role as Cincinnati's No. 2 back behind Jeremy Hill as well as the team's primary receiver out of the backfield.

The Cincinnati Bengals placed RB Giovani Bernard (knee) on the injured-reserve list on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact

Bernard's season is over after he tore his ACL in Week 11, forcing the Bengals to place him on IR Tuesday. In his absence, Jeremy Hill will garner a larger workload as the team's early down/ goal line back while Rex Burkhead will likely be utilized in Bernard's role as the primary receiver out of the backfield. Burkhead should be added from waivers this week as Hill's handcuff and could even hold fantasy value in deeper PPR leagues as early as Week 12.

Cincinnati Bengals RB Gio Bernard (ACL) tore his ACL in Week 11 according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Fantasy Impact

It appears that Bernard tore his ACL in Sunday's contest against Buffalo and will likely miss the remainder of the year. Jeremy Hill's fantasy value will increase in Bernard's absence. Rex Burkhead is now the No. 2 running back on Cincinnati's depth chart.