Bengals are running short in backfield

Giovani Bernard is the last veteran running back standing for the Bengals, and even he was limited in practice on Wednesday.

The Bengals (2-0) head to Carolina (1-1) with Bernard as their only experienced back who knows their system. No. 3 back Tra Carson was waived Wednesday after suffering a hamstring injury in practice.

The Bengals signed free agent running back Thomas Rawls, who was released by the Jets at the end of training camp.

The running game has shown significant improvement over last year, helping the Bengals get off to their fast start. The challenge is to keep it going with only one proven ball carrier.

“I feel like people are freaking out, but my goodness, it’s football,” Bernard said before his limited practice. “Guys are going to go down, and the next man has to step up and be prepared.”

Joe Mixon hurt his right knee during a 34-23 win over the Ravens on Thursday night. He had a surgical procedure over the weekend to remove a piece of torn cartilage. He walked without a limp or a brace Wednesday, saying the knee felt good. He’ll be sidelined for a few games as the knee recovers.

Mixon’s injury opened the way for Carson to move into a bigger role behind Bernard, but he got hurt during practice Monday.

Mariota not 100 percent:

Marcus Mariota wakes up every morning hoping his injured right hand feels better.

Unfortunately for the Titans quarterback, the weakness is still there, along with numbness and tingling in two fingers.

That’s why Mariota was limited Wednesday at practice for the Titans, even as he cut up a glove to cover those two fingers hoping to give himself a better grip.

“I think it’s close, but again we’re going to just take it one day at a time,” Mariota said.

Mariota hurt the elbow on his throwing arm in the season opener, a 27-20 loss in Miami. He was intercepted twice after the injury, and Mariota still finds himself dealing with the expected injury that affects both the velocity with which he throws and the spin he can put on the ball.

Extra points: A female Uber driver in Arizona is suing Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston, accusing him of sexual assault and seeking more than $75,000 in damages. The NFL in June suspended Winston for three games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, after an investigation into the incident . ... The Eagles signed WR Jordan Matthews and placed Mike Wallace on injured reserve. Matthews played his first three seasons with the Eagles before he was traded to the Bills in 2017.