Bengals running back Jeremy Hill was placed on injured reserve Saturday as he decided to have season-ending surgery, but his head coach seemed to question that decision during his time with the media on Monday.

"Jeremy thinks he needs to have ankle surgery," Lewis said. "I think he's consulted a couple physicians, both said that this was something that could wait until after the season but he just felt like it was causing too much discomfort."

Essentially, Lewis is saying Hill's injury could have waited until the end of the season, and he seemed surprised the back opted for surgery. After all, just three days before his season ended, Hill was talking about how excited he was about playing in the upcoming game.

Marvin Lewis said Jeremy Hill opted to have ankle surgery. Lewis was surprised. Team thought he could wait til end of the season. — Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 13, 2017

Also, Hill had remained off of the team's injury report until Week 9 when he was scratched from the Jaguars game. Lewis didn't think the injury was too serious.

"I don't think he had any instance of (a problem) since this August when he rolled his ankle in training camp, or whatever it was, training camp or warmups in a game. I can't remember what it was," Lewis said. "One of those times in the preseason. But that's the only instance he's had this fall."

Hill's role in Cincy was being downgraded with the team's addition of rookie Joe Mixon. Hill averaged just five touches per game, and he's set to become a free agent in the offseason. It would make sense for Hill to just call it a season and get fully healthy as teams look to acquire him next year.