The Cincinnati Bengals' backfield just became more banged up with backup Giovani Bernard being ruled out for the next two to four weeks with an MCL sprain.
However, it couldn't have come at a more timely moment as Cincinnati has declared that second-year running back Joe Mixon is set to make his return to the field for Week 5 action against the Miami Dolphins, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN.
Bengals running back Joe Mixon looks poised make his return in Sunday's game against the Dolphins following a knee procedure that sidelined him for two weeks.
This has come to a huge benefit for the Bengals it could have put them in a tough predicament in the backfield with what could have been rookie Mark Walton getting the start against the Dolphins. Walton had finally gotten some work last Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons recording nine rushing yards on five attempts along with two catches for 28 receiving yards. Instead, Walton will just be thrust into the backup role behind Mixon that could see him take on a little larger role as the team works him to the fold.
Cincinnati is counting on Mixon to step in to be their workhorse tailback that he was showing to be prior to the knee injury that required surgery. In the first two games this year, the second-year running back had 178 rushing yards on 38 attempts with a touchdown along with six catches for 57 receiving yards. Mixon has begun to show that he can be a legitimate three-down running back that can be a primary fixture in the offensive game plan.
There potentially lies a favorable matchup in Week 5 with the Dolphins ranked 20th against the run giving up 110.5 yards per game. This saw them allow New England Patriots rookie running back Sony Michel tatter them up for 112 rushing yards on 25 attempts and a touchdown last Sunday.
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