Second-year running back Giovani Bernard opened the Cincinnati Bengals’ organized team activities on Tuesday atop the depth chart.
Rookie second-round draft pick Jeremy Hill, who signed a contract on Monday, was listed behind Bernard as the second-team running back. Both were placed ahead of returning veteran BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who started 33 games the past two seasons for the Bengals.
Bengals coach have said Bernard is expected to see more playing time during his second year. As a rookie, he showed versatility as a runner and receiver with 695 yards on the ground and 56 catches.
Green-Ellis is a power back who averaged 3.4 yards per carry and had only four catches out of the backfield last season. The 28-year-old is entering the final year of a three-year contract that he signed in 2012.
Hill is cut in a similar mold as Green-Ellis but is 15 pounds heavier. Last year at LSU, Hill averaged 6.9 yards per carry.