CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals rookie running back Jeremy Hill won his first weekly award hours before Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Browns when the NFL tabbed him the FedEx Ground Player of the Week for his efforts against the Jaguars last Sunday.

In the Bengals' 33-23 win, Hill had a career-high 24 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns. His 60-yard touchdown run with about eight minutes remaining helped ice the victory.

He made the first start of his career in that game. Against the Browns, he'll be receiving a second straight start with fellow back Giovani Bernard being shelved once again. Bernard is still recovering from a series of injuries sustained in the last three games he played. After getting listed as doubtful on Wednesday's injury report, he was officially declared out Thursday morning by coach Marvin Lewis.

With windy and rainy conditions in Cincinnati, expect the Bengals to be forced to put the ball in Hill's hands often again. For the season, Hill has 74 carries for 349 yards and five rushing scores, which ties for the team lead with Bernard.

Along with Hill, the NFL also named Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the FedEx Air Player of the Week after his second straight six-touchdown performance, which came in Sunday night's win over the Ravens.

Andy Dalton was the last Bengals player to win a league award just before a Thursday game. Last October, the quarterback claimed AFC Player of the Month honors the same Thursday he led the Bengals into an overtime game at Miami. Cincinnati lost 22-20 on a walk-off safety.