The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to have veteran running back Giovani Bernard in the lineup against the New Orleans Saints, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
#Bengals RB Giovani Bernard, who has missed the last month with an MCL sprain, is expected to play today against the #Saints, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 11, 2018
Bernard had missed over a month after suffering an MCL sprain. In the four games he has played this season, he has 155 rushing yards in 34 carries with three touchdowns, as well as 14 catches for 78 receiving yards.
Bernard’s return will be a welcome boost to the Bengals, who are short on offensive weapons at the moment with star receiver A.J. Green out with a toe injury. They are also without wideout John Ross as well as tight end Tyler Eifert.
Bernard will provide another much-needed reliable offensive option for quarterback Andy Dalton besides Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon.
Boyd is having a breakout season with the Bengals this year. He has 49 catches for 620 yards and five touchdowns on the year and had nine catches for 138 yards and a touchdown in their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their last game.
Meanwhile, Mixon also had a great game against the Bucs and his best game of the season thus far. He finished with a career-high 123 rushing yards on 21 carries with two touchdowns.
The Bengals will need as much offense as they can against the Saints, who have the second most prolific attack in the league with 34.9 points per game.