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Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill is expected to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, following two limited sessions this week with a knee injury. The team listed Hill as probable on the Friday status report. Despite scoring five rushing touchdowns this season, second to only Atlanta's Devonta Freeman, Hill has clearly underperformed with a 3.3 yards/rush average, a notorious benching after two lost fumbles against San Diego, and is on pace to rush for 652 yards.
Marvin Lewis, an old school coach with nearly 20 years spent in the AFC north, loves to run the football. Ranked seventh in the league, Cincinnati is averaging 128 yards rushing per game. Yet it will be tough sledding this weekend against the Seahawks seventh-ranked rush defense, a squad that hasn't even allowed a touchdown since safety Kam Chancellor ended his holdout.
Where the Bengals might have an advantage is on defense.
"I hate to sound like a broken record, but Tom Cable must find a way to shore up his struggling young line ASAP," writes Jessica Ridpath with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "The Bengals' defense is miles better than any the Hawks have seen so far this season. Watching Wilson scramble for six-plus seconds and make heroic plays is terribly exciting ... when it happens once in awhile. It's nerve-wracking and gray-hair-inducing when it happens all the time. He needs protection, and he needs it now."
Unfortunately, safety George Iloka (ankle) and defensive end Wallace Gilberry (calf) are questionable after being limited on Friday. Iloka missed last week's game against the Chiefs and pulled himself out during the second half against the Ravens, viewing himself as a liability. Iloka originally suffered his ankle injury during the regular season opener against the Oakland Raiders. Still, Iloka said this week that barring a setback, he intends to play on Sunday.
On a more positive note, safety Reggie Nelson (hamstring) and cornerback Adam Jones (groin) are probable. Jones, who missed significant time last week against the Chiefs with a groin, missed practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday. Listed as probable, Jones is expected to suit up against the Seahawks.