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The Bengals suffered more injuries during their loss to the Bills than anyone realized.
In addition to the host of names we’ve already reported, running back Giovani Bernard apparently suffered an injury as well, and it doesn’t look good.
Several #Bengals players and coaches consoled Giovani Bernard after the game, not sure if he got hurt late.
— Richard Skinner (@Local12Skinny) November 20, 2016
Multiple players were consoling Gio in locker room. He and Dre were in MRI room after the game. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) November 20, 2016
One #Bengals player told me they will be without multiple skill players for a long time. "Maybe all of them," meaning A.J., Williams too
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) November 20, 2016
It’s unclear what the actual injury was since he never appeared to be injured during the game. He was even part of the final drive that saw the Bengals get to the 27-yard line before a Hail Mary attempt went incomplete as time expired.
Bernard actually touched the ball five times on that final drive with four catches for 34 yards. He caught another pass that was wiped out due to offensive holding on Andrew Whitworth.
It appears the injury came on his last catch, a seven-yard reception on 2nd-and-1 with 50 seconds left that moved Cincinnati to the Buffalo 42. After the play, Bernard was replaced with third-stringer Rex Burkhead, who actually caught a 14-yard pass that moved the ball to the 33-yard line.
Burkhead will be the one who gets more touches if Bernard misses any games. They both are pass-catching backs who will get limited touches behind starter Jeremy Hill.
Bernard has 91 rushes for 333 yards and two rushing touchdowns to go with 39 catches for 336 yards and one receiving score. It also would come after the Bengals signed him to a nice extension this offseason.
We will keep you posted as more details on Bernard’s injury develop.