Jeremy Hill Will Start over Giovani Bernard for Bengals vs. Browns in Week 15

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to give standout rookie Jeremy Hill the starting running back job over Giovani Bernard for the team's Week 15 clash with the Cleveland Browns. The new starter can also expect a heavier workload compared to the split duty of past weeks.     

Richard Skinner of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports Bernard was the one who noted the coaches' decision to reporters:

Hill and Bernard have formed a committee for most of the season. The first-year player out of LSU has received 10 more carries while playing in three more games. He's also been the more productive back, averaging nearly a yard more per carry.

Bernard had previously held onto the starter distinction. The change comes one day after Geoff Hobson of the team's official site passed along comments from offensive coordinator Hue Jackson about giving one back more extensive playing time:

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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. 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 I think we have a pretty good idea which way we're headed…Those guys are very capable. I just don't think I did a very good job this past week.

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It appears Hill will get the first opportunity to prove himself as a true feature back.

During a three-game stretch earlier in the campaign while Bernard was out he topped 150 yards twice. The only time he didn't was when he only received 12 carries after the Bengals fell behind early, and he turned those into 55 yards.

Exactly what type of role Bernard will play in the offense as a backup is unclear.