Joe Mixon Injury Update Boosts Giovani Bernard Week 11 Fantasy Outlook

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon has been out since Week 6 with a lingering foot injury. Mixon hasn't been even been able to practice in that time, opening the door for Giovani Bernard to step in as the team's lead back.

Mixon has been once again ruled out ahead of the Bengals' matchup with the Washington Football Team in Week 11, making Bernard a strong fantasy football play once again.

Mixon started the season strong with 4 touchdowns (3 rushing and 1 receiving) while averaging 24.1 opportunities (19.8 rushes plus 4.3 targets) per game. His absence means a heavy workload for Bernard in Week 11.

Giovani Bernard Fantasy Outlook

Bernard is in line for his fourth consecutive start. While his touches were minimal in the beginning of the season behind Mixon, he is averaging 17.3 opportunities (12 rushes plus 5.3 targets) while filling in over the past 3 games.

Bernard has seamlessly taken over Mixon's inclusion in both the rushing game and through the air, accounting for 2 receiving TDs and 1 rushing TD in the past 3 games.

While Bernard struggled against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10 (just 8.7 PPR fantasy points), that was a brutal matchup, and he has shown the potential for big games. He racked up back-to-back performances of 20+ PPR fantasy points against the Cleveland Browns (20.6) and Tennessee Titans (22.8).

The amount of looks that Mixon leaves behind in his absence makes Bernard a solid RB2 option once again this week, even against a Washington defense that is allowing 21.32 PPR fantasy points to running backs this season.

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