Bengals notes: RB rotation, WJ3 debut, Ross returns

Nobody can pin down exactly how the Bengals’ rotation of running backs Giovani Bernard, Jeremy Hill and Joe Mixon will look in its debut Sunday against Baltimore.

The coaching staff stayed understandably tight-lipped and players are adopting the do-what-I’m-asked mentality. Jeremy Hill is listed as the starter and expected to start. Signs point to Giovani Bernard continuing to hold down his role on third downs.

What we do know is the team won’t be sacrificing creating a flow in order to distribute the perfect amount of touches. Allowing each player to find a rhythm tops the priority list.

“The flow is more important than the touches,” running backs coach Kyle Caskey said. “You see it in the preseason when we are forced to put guys in because we want to get them playing time. We are more worried about touches in the preseason and play numbers and play counts. In the regular season we are more worried about production and winning.”

Figuring out early who among the three makes the most impact will be a key part of the rotation equation. A plan exists at first, but from there, variables take over: playmaking, injuries, situations.

Hill points out any running back builds confidence the more carries they get, but there’s no denying the area where he has excelled. He’s tied for the most rushing touchdowns in the NFL since 2014 and 21 of his 29 touchdowns came from inside the 5-yard-line. He’s scored a touchdown 46 percent of the time he’s touched the ball inside the 5.

“For me, it’s controlling the time of possession for our offense, keeping our defense off the field and scoring in the red zone,” Hill said. “That’s something I can do to help our team in football teams and will continue to do.”

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What the second-round pick Mixon will do is anybody’s guess, but he offered an encouraging glimpse during an impressive preseason. Mixon carried 20 times for 78 yards and caught three passes for 32 yards.

He played off any extra emphasis on his first game this week, claiming it’s “just another game.” Mixon later admitted calling it another game might not be exactly correct, but he’s attempting to keep it low key.

“Because that’s just me,” Mixon said.

Caskey sees another reason and part of why he feels confident a divided workload won’t rattle the rookie.

“Joe is as much as a team player as I’ve been around,” Caskey said. “He really does want to win, he’s also a very confident person in his abilities. In saying it’s just another game, it’s his way of saying he’s approaching it the same way he approaches everything.”

We will learn much more about the Bengals approach to this rotation coming out of the opener, but it’s fair to say even the team can’t say for sure how the touches will unfold.

“You plan initially for it and try to put guys in the right places for what their talents can do and once the game gets going there is a flow to it,” Caskey said. “If a guy does have a little juice to him at that time then you stick with him.”

WILLIAM JACKSON III DEBUT

The Bengals have intercepted Joe Flacco nearly twice as much as every other NFL team. Their 21 picks tops Cleveland, in second with 11 interceptions.

One player who never intercepted Flacco is cornerback William Jackson III. The 2016 first-round pick will make his NFL debut and is expected to start on the edge in the nickel defense in place of suspended Adam Jones.

Coming off an encouraging preseason where the ball rarely was thrown his way, he knows what’s on his mind especially knowing Flacco as a quarterback with a history of taking chances against the Bengals.

“The biggest thing is going to make plays,” Jackson said. “That’s the biggest thing. Being a difference-maker. That’s all you want to do coming to the game. Just want to go out there and let it go.”

Jackson made his mark as an opportunistic corner coming out of the University of Houston, picking off five passes in 14 games his senior year. Two of those went back for touchdowns.

Finding his hands on a Flacco pass would offer an ideal way to make his impression felt immediately. If the trend of the preseason continues and the ball rarely finds his direction, well, that would be fine, too.

“That’s the plan,” Jackson said. “You always want them to throw the ball so you can make a play, but I plan on that being the case in the regular season, too. If they don’t, then make them pay.”

ROSS PRACTICES

First-round pick receiver John Ross took another step toward returning from tweaking his knee in the preseason finale. After sitting out Wednesday’s practice, he returned in a limited role on Thursday.

While it appears unlikely he will play Sunday, this opens up the chance he could make his NFL debut on Thursday against Houston. If not, having 10 days to rest prior to Green Bay would make for a conservative target.  

“Lot of times guys work through things when you are getting your sea legs back,” receivers coach James Urban said. “Fortunately it was just a darn good scare, but knock on wood he’s working his tail off to get back as soon as he can. Coach Lewis has a great system in place that you have to do this and prove that you can do this. It is incremental. He’s in the process now. I’m glad he’s in the process working through it. When they tell me he’s ready, then he’s ready.”

CHRISTIAN RINGO IN THE MIX

Defensive tackle Christian Mingo was so new, he didn’t have a nameplate or a spot in the main locker room. Instead, he stationed in the auxiliary corner of the locker room where rookies called home during camp and primarily for injured and practice squad players during the season.

There was no complaining, however, Mingo was happy to have a home after being cut by the Green Bay Packers earlier this week. The Bengals claimed him off waivers to fill the final spot left open on their roster when quarterback Jeff Driskel went on IR.

“It’s just been crazy,” Ringo said. “I was definitely surprised after I make the team two days later I’m getting cut. That’s in the past. Sometimes new beginnings is needed. I think it was past overdue for me.”

Ringo showed well in the preseason, with a fumble recovery and finishing second on the team in quarterback hits (2).

He now spends his time trying to catch up on the landscape, including a minor freak out wondering why his flight landed in Kentucky. But a familiar foe and motivation aren’t far off the horizon to provide a goal. The Bengals play at the Packers on Sept. 24.

“Can’t wait,” Ringo said with a smile. “Hopefully I have everything acclimated by then and be full-go.”