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Giovani Bernard | Running Back

Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age / DOB:  (23) / 11/22/1991
Ht / Wt:  5'9' / 208
College: North Carolina
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Giovani Bernard rushed three times for six yards in the Bengals' Wild Card loss, adding eight receptions for 46 yards.
As has been the case every week since Bernard returned from his hip injury, he was utilized as Jeremy Hill's change-of-pace back, with the Bengals never bothering to establish him between the tackles. Bernard was Andy Dalton's safety valve. Although OC Hue Jackson could be moving on, COP duties are what Gio should claim in 2015. The owner of a career 4.1 YPC, he is not a tough runner, but one capable of reeling off big plays if he gets into space. Bernard's dynasty future is that of an RB2/FLEX who can't be counted on for touchdowns. Jan 4 - 4:47 PM

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Player News

Date:
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Giovani Bernard had three rushes for eight yards and seven catches for 56 yards and a touchdown in Sunday night's Week 17 loss to the Steelers.

Bernard had a highlight 17-yard touchdown on a short pass from Andy Dalton in the first quarter. He got 10 touches behind Jeremy Hill, who continued to get the majority of carries. Bernard has been more productive since moving out of the feature back role and is averaging six catches over his last two games. Bernard will finish the season with 168 carries, 1,029 total yards, and six touchdowns.
Mon, Dec 29, 2014 12:04:00 AM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Giovani Bernard rushed for 36 yards on eight carries in the Bengals' Week 16 win over the Broncos, adding five catches for 45 yards and one touchdown.

The past two weeks, Bernard has been doing more with less. And that's how it was in 2013. The Bengals realized Bernard isn't a workhorse back, and he's taken a side seat next to 1A Jeremy Hill. Hill out-touched Bernard 22-13, but both did work with their looks. Bernard looked like his rookie self on his 22-yard touchdown, catching the ball at the line of scrimmage and shedding a tackle before making another defender miss on his way to the end zone. The past two weeks, he's managed 184 total yards on 31 touches. Bernard and Hill are going to have to carry the Bengals in the playoffs. They'll wrap up Week 17 against the Steelers.
Tue, Dec 23, 2014 12:16:00 AM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Giovani Bernard rushed 15 times for 79 yards in the Bengals' Week 15 rout of the Browns, adding three catches for 24 additional yards.

Bernard was a definitive No. 2 behind Jeremy Hill — who went off for 25/148/2 — but the Bengals out-possessed the inept Browns 38:52-21:08, and ran 71 total plays. Bernard was primarily playing passing downs before things got out of hand, which was admittedly quite early. The Bengals are going more and more run heavy as they try to hide Andy Dalton, but Bernard can't be trusted as more than a shaky FLEX option for Week 16 against the Broncos' tough run defense. He's a rich man's Shane Vereen.
Sun, Dec 14, 2014 04:49:00 PM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Giovani Bernard rushed six times for 17 yards and caught three passes for 19 yards in Sunday's Week 14 loss to the Steelers.

Bernard is getting out-touched, out-gained and out-played by Jeremy Hill weekly now. So even though Gio is still the "starter," it's clear the coaches prefer the chain-moving ability of Hill. Bernard, averaging just 3.18 YPC over his last four games with a total of eight catches, will be a desperation flex only at Cleveland in Week 15.
Sun, Dec 7, 2014 04:39:00 PM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Gio Bernard rushed ten times for 49 yards and caught a four-yard pass in Cincinnati's Week 13 win over the Bucs.

He played behind Jeremy Hill, who started the game and finished with 17 touches compared to Bernard's 11. Hill has bypassed Bernard both as the Bengals' clock-killing and red-zone back, and currently carries more fantasy value. As long as Bernard is teetering in the 11-19 touch-per-game range with limited scoring-position and passing-game involvement, he'll only be a flex player in fantasy leagues. The Bengals face the Steelers next.
Sun, Nov 30, 2014 06:13:00 PM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Giovani Bernard was held to 45 yards on 17 carries and caught two passes for 22 yards in the Bengals' Week 12 win over Houston.

Bernard got the start in his first game back from a four-week absence. Aside from a 19-yard gain Gio busted on his fourth rushing attempt, he was held to 26 yards on 16 carries. Bernard was bottled up while mixing and matching with Jeremy Hill. From a fantasy standpoint, it's especially notable that Hill consistently played ahead of Gio in scoring position, executing a two-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. Both backs finished with 19 touches, but Hill was far more effective. Bernard will be a low-end RB2/flex play in Week 13 against the Buccaneers.
Sun, Nov 23, 2014 04:15:00 PM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Giovani Bernard is listed as the Bengals' starting running back for Week 12 against the Texans.

This was expected. Bernard gets veteran deference despite being outplayed by Jeremy Hill all season. Despite Gio getting the technical "start," beat writers anticipate Hill handling more work against Houston. The Bengals' Week 12 inactives are WR Dane Sanzenbacher, RB Rex Burkhead, CB Chris Lewis-Harris, LB Vontaze Burfict, OT Tanner Hawkinson, WR Greg Little, DE Margus Hunt.
Sun, Nov 23, 2014 11:31:00 AM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Gio Bernard (hip) is listed as probable for Week 12.

He practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday. Bernard's workload is unclear after he missed a month with hip and collarbone injuries. Jeremy Hill excelled in Gio's absence, averaging 5.73 YPC over the Bengals' last three games.
Fri, Nov 21, 2014 01:42:00 PM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Giovani Bernard (hip) was upgraded to "full" in Thursday's practice.

According to ESPN's Coley Harvey, Bernard was "was back at No. 1 (duty) during open portion of practice." Bernard is perhaps fantasy's biggest wild card for Week 12, but it's beginning to appear as if he'll be returning to a workload resembling the one he was handling before going down. We still expect Jeremy Hill to maintain a bigger role on early downs, however. With the situation uncertain, both backs can be utilized as RB2s for Week 12.
Related: Jeremy Hill
Source: Geoff Hobson on Twitter
Thu, Nov 20, 2014 02:59:00 PM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Bengals OC Hue Jackson declined to name a starting running back when pressed following Wednesday's practice.

Jackson said Gio Bernard (hip) was "tremendous" in Wednesday's session, and Bernard remains on track to return Sunday against Houston. His role isn't going to be what it was early in the season, however. "I think we've got to work him back into our process and how we do things," said Jackson. "What will determine that is just how fast and how we think he is ready to go." It sounds like Bernard will be "eased in" versus the Texans. He'll be a flex option in standard fantasy leagues, and perhaps a lower-end RB2 in PPR.
Source: bengals.com
Wed, Nov 19, 2014 08:47:00 PM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Giovani Bernard (hip) returned to Bengals practice Wednesday, getting in a limited session.

Not a surprise. Bernard is fully expected to be back in the lineup for Week 12 against the Texans. It's unclear how the Bengals will divvy up carries between he and Jeremy Hill, but Hill has been the far better between-the-tackles player this season. Bernard should get most of his touches out in space.
Source: Coley Harvey on Twitter
Wed, Nov 19, 2014 12:13:00 PM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Speaking Monday, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he "thinks" Giovani Bernard (hip) will resume practicing this week, but added that he "(wasn't) sure."

Lewis likes to offer up wishy-washy comments, but most signs point toward Bernard returning on Wednesday, and likely suiting up for Week 12. The Bengals' own website has said as much. Bernard reportedly looked good in pre-game warmups before Sunday's win over the Saints. Sidelined for the past three games, Bernard is expected to return to more of a timeshare with Jeremy Hill, who has starred during his absence. Hill should function as the Bengals' primary between-the-tackles runner, with Bernard catches passes and changing the pace.
Related: Jeremy Hill
Source: Geoff Hobson on Twitter
Mon, Nov 17, 2014 03:58:00 PM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

The Bengals' website expects Giovani Bernard (hip, collarbone) to return for Week 12 against the Texans.

Per beat writer Geoff Hobson, Bernard is "expected back this week after missing the last three games." Hobson expects the Bengals' backfield to be "flexed for the stretch," with Jeremy Hill taking on a more significant role than the one he played behind Gio early this season. The Bengals' offense has functioned at its maximum on the back of a power running game. Hill is Cincinnati's best power back. Bernard may return to a Shane Vereen-type role.
Source: bengals.com
Mon, Nov 17, 2014 01:19:00 PM
Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

Giovani Bernard (hip, shoulder) is inactive for Week 11 against the Saints.

Jeremy Hill will start and play all three downs against the Saints. Game flow is a worry, but Hill is a legitimate RB1 for Week 11. If there's good news for Bernard owners, it's that he reportedly looked good in pre-game warmups Sunday. There's a good chance he's finally back for Week 12.
Sun, Nov 16, 2014 11:33:00 AM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Andy Dalton
2A.J. McCarron
RB1Jeremy Hill
2Giovani Bernard
3Rex Burkhead
GLB1Jeremy Hill
2Giovani Bernard
3RB1Giovani Bernard
2Jeremy Hill
FB1Ryan Hewitt
WR11A.J. Green
2James Wright
3Cobi Hamilton
WR21Mohamed Sanu
2Greg Little
3Tevin Reese
4Eric Ward
WR31James Wright
TE1Tyler Eifert
2Kevin Brock
3Jake Murphy