NFL teams
Coley Harvey, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Bengals officially without Giovani Bernard, Vontaze Burfict

CINCINNATI -- It wasn't much of a surprise Friday afternoon that Giovani Bernard and Vontaze Burfict were formally listed as out on the Cincinnati Bengals' final injury report of the week.

 Neither has practiced, although it appears Bernard could possibly be a week away from returning to the offense after now missing three straight games with multiple injuries. All this week, Bernard has worked out off to the side, going through conditioning drills while the rest of the team practices. Burfict hasn't quite made it to that point after being out the past three weeks following arthroscopic knee surgery.

In Bernard's place will go rookie running back Jeremy Hill, who had 12 carries for 55 yards against the Browns last Thursday. The week before, he got his first career start when he rushed a career-high 24 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Jacksonville.

Expected to remain in the defensive starting rotation in Burfict's place is linebacker Vincent Rey, who has been filling in for Burfict and others much of the year. At least this week he should have a little extra help at linebacker, as Rey Maualuga is poised to re-enter the starting rotation after being sidelined the last month with a hamstring injury. Maualuga was listed as probable on the injury report after practicing fully Friday for the first time this week.

Given it was expected Bernard and Burfict likely would miss this week, the two most concerning names on the list below are cornerback Terence Newman's and offensive tackle Andre Smith's.

Newman was listed as questionable, but he hasn't practiced all week due to a knee injury that cropped up against the Browns. It was a little stunning, though, to see him not downgraded further to doubtful, meaning the Bengals are hopeful he might become a game-time decision. That said, still be on the lookout for Leon Hall (returning from a concussion), Adam Jones and Dre Kirkpatrick at cornerback. It's likely Jones would take Newman's cornerback spot opposite Hall. When Hall goes in the slot in nickel situations, Kirkpatrick could come off the bench and play Newman's boundary role if necessary.

Rookie Darqueze Dennard also could be an option to come off the bench, but it appears the Bengals favor the slightly older Kirkpatrick as the first alternate.

"Dre's been practicing. Darqueze is coming off a hamstring injury," coach Marvin Lewis said. "One guy's been out there full-time in practice and understands things. You've got to have experience and ability, both has to match up all together."

With Smith likely out another game, the Bengals will turn for a second straight week to Marshall Newhouse at right tackle. Newhouse could have his hands full again after a poor performance last Thursday. He had an abysmal minus-6.6 overall grade against the Browns, per Pro Football Focus.

Here's the full injury report:

OUT

RB Giovani Bernard (hip/clavicle)

LB Vontaze Burfict (knee)

DOUBTFUL

OT Andre Smith (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE

LB Rey Maualuga (hamstring)

CB Terence Newman (knee)

PROBABLE

CB Leon Hall (concussion)

S Taylor Mays (foot)

TE Jermaine Gresham (thigh)

RB Cedric Peerman (knee)

OL Mike Pollak (knee)

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