CINCINNATI -- All of a sudden, the spotlight on Jeremy Hill has intensified.

With Giovani Bernard slated to miss the first game of his young career Sunday due to injury, the focus in the Cincinnati Bengals' backfield shifts to his rookie replacement.

Joined by backups Cedric Peerman and Rex Burkhead, Hill ought to command his share of carries and passing targets as he steps in for Bernard against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Although Hill already plays regularly, this will be the first start of his career.

So what does Hill give the Bengals?

He's a strong, physical runner who can catch. He was LSU's third-leading receiver last year. He also has comparatively fresh legs after getting outpaced by Bernard on offensive touches to this point, 131-63.

While Bernard may have more opportunities, Hill has still taken advantage of the ones he has received. His 7.0 yards per touch (both receiving and rushing) is better than the 6.1-yard average Bernard has on his rushes and receptions, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Hill technically may be a rookie another three months, but as the season reaches its halfway point, his coaches and teammates no longer consider him as such. He's grown since his arrival six months ago, and has a chance this weekend to take his biggest strides yet.

"They're not rookies anymore," offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said about Hill and fellow first-year player center Russell Bodine. They are the most regular rookie contributors on offense.

"They're expected to make plays. That's what they're here for," Jackson continued. "Whether it's the center or the back or any of our guys, that's the name of the business."

That's also the reason Hill was drafted in the first place. Cincinnati had former back BenJarvus Green-Ellis' succession plans in place and were looking for Hill to factor into them. They wanted to employ a two-man running back rotation with Bernard, but they also wanted to ensure that if they drafted Hill, he would be mature enough to handle situations like this one.

"It's kind of that time of the year where those guys have to put extra onus on some of the little things that may go by just because they're rookies," veteran Pro Bowl offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said. "As long as they continue to progress and continue to say every week 'I want to go out and be a little better, that's really what the biggest difference is.'"

As he readies for his first start, that's the attitude Hill has tried to exude. He wants people to know that he's confident he can provide a boost in Bernard's absence.

"I'm preparing like I'm the No. 1 guy, like I do every week," Hill said earlier this week. "If you stick to what your coaches are teaching you and you run the ball hard, you should be able to get successful yards. That's what I've been sticking to and it's what I'm going to continue to stick to. I'm just doing my job and doing what the coaches ask me to do and it's been pretty successful so far."