CINCINNATI -- Two rookies will be key to any success the Cincinnati Bengals have Thursday night when they host the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium.

Expect running back Jeremy Hill and cornerback Darqueze Dennard to factor heavily into the Bengals' plans after the team announced Wednesday that starters Giovani Bernard and Leon Hall are likely to miss the game.

Officially, Bernard was listed as doubtful on the injury report the Bengals released Wednesday, and Hall was declared out, joining linebacker Vontaze Burfict under that designation.

The news about Bernard wasn't much of a surprise after he missed the only two practices this week. He hasn't practiced since before the Bengals' win over the Ravens two weeks ago. This looks to be the second straight game the running back will miss as he continues to recover from multiple injuries he's received in the last three games. Specifically, he has clavicle and hip issues that he is fighting through. If Bernard is out, he'll be replaced once again by Hill, who had a career-high 24 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns last week.

Hall was lost late in Sunday's 33-23 win over the Jaguars after colliding hard with two separate teammates. On one of those collisions, he ended up getting hit in the head. He's been on concussion protocol since. This will be the first game he has missed this season after returning from a season-ending Achilles tear last year. He'll be replaced by Dennard, who is returning this week after missing Sunday's game with a hamstring injury.

Along with Hall and Bernard, the Bengals also likely will be without right offensive tackle Andre Smith, who sprained his left ankle Sunday. He wore a boot the first two days this week. Declared doubtful, odds are high he will miss this game and get replaced by veteran backup Marshall Newhouse, who relieved Smith after his departure Sunday.

Defensive end Robert Geathers is questionable, meaning second-year player Margus Hunt may get more playing time Thursday than he's had all season.

Here's the Bengals' complete pre-game injury report:

OUT

LB Vontaze Burfict (knee)

CB Leon Hall (concussion)

DOUBTFUL

RB Giovani Bernard (hip/clavicle)

OT Andre Smith (ankle)

LB Rey Maualuga (hamstring)

QUESTIONABLE

DE Robert Geathers (shoulder)

PROBABLE

CB Darqueze Dennard (hamstring)

TE Jermaine Gresham (knee)

CB Terence Newman (chest)

OG Kevin Zeitler (calf)