The one thing the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t think they would have to worry about this season is suddenly evolving into a concern.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis was touted as a physical, sure-handed running back when he signed as a free agent in the offseason, and he had an NFL record of consecutive touches without a fumble to prove it.

But Green-Ellis has fumbled three times in his last 30 touches, losing two.

“Ball security is something I have to tighten down,” he said. “It’s been terrible the last couple weeks.”

Green-Ellis entered the Washington game Sept. 23 having never fumbled in his five seasons as a pro. His NFL-record streak reached 589 touches before the Redskins’ Josh Wilson punched the ball out and recovered it on a carry late in the third quarter.

Then Sunday in Jacksonville, Green-Ellis had the ball knocked loose again on a third-and-goal carry when he tried to leap into the end zone from the 1-yard line. The Jaguars recovered the fumble and converted it into a field goal for a 10-point swing.

“I’m just making bad decisions, trying to do too much,” Green-Ellis said. “We’re down there on the 1-yard line, I really don’t have to leave my feet.”

Eight touches later, Green-Ellis put the ball on the ground again but was able to fall on it.

“It’s very uncharacteristic of him,” Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said. “It’s not in his history. It’s not in his DNA.

“It’s kind of like when you get the yips in your putting, missing those three-footers,” Gruden continued. “You don’t miss one for four rounds and all of a sudden you miss six in the same round. He’s working on it.”

The three fumbles have Green-Ellis tied for sixth most in the NFL, and the two he’s lost have him tied for third (Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel and Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick each have three).

In addition to the fumbles, Green-Ellis is averaging only 3.5 yards per carry this season with 286 yards on 82 rushes. And Sunday’s opponent is the Miami Dolphins, who own the No. 1 rushing defense in the NFL, allowing 56.8 yards per game.

The Bengals rank 13th in rushing offense at 110 ypg.

“We’re working to improve every week,” Green-Ellis said. “The offensive line is doing a pretty good job up front, I’ve just had a couple of plays where I had bad ball-security issues and that’s kind of making it look worse.

“It all comes back to me,” he continued. “It’s something I have to tighten up because turnovers are the No. 1 thing that correlates to losing in this league.”

The recent bout of fumblitis hasn’t caused Green-Ellis to lose confidence, nor has it caused his teammates or coaches to lose faith.

“He’s going to be just fine,” quarterback Andy Dalton said.

“He’s been a dependable guy for the majority of his career, and we’re not going to give up on him,” Gruden said. “We’re going to assume this is just a fluke and he’ll get through it.”