"Larry Johnson is a Bengal after agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with the team this morning. The Bengals still have not made an official announcement since they still have to make a roster move to put Johnson on the 53-man roster.
Johnson arrived on Monday night in Cincinnati and met with the coach Marvin Lewis and his staff. Since being released by the Chiefs last Monday, Johnson had talked but the Bengals will be the one to take a chance on the oft-troubled seven-year running back. Lewis spoke with Johnson last Thursday about possibly coming to the team.
Lewis also said on Monday that Johnson would be the fourth running back and that the role of the three backs on the roster would not change.
“It would have zero affect on Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott or Brian Leonard,” Lewis said. “I’m very happy right now with what they’re doing and their roles and I want to see Bernard’s role continue to expand as it did yesterday.”
The rumors about Johnson coming to Cincinnati really intensified following Sunday’s 18-12 win over Pittsburgh when Benson left during the second quarter with a hip flexor strain.
But both Lewis and Benson said that the injury, which is officially an abductor strain, was not serious and that he could be available for this week’s game at Oakland. But Benson is expected to be limited in practices with the final decision being made close to game time.
“I had an opportunity to visit with Cedric, and it (Johnson’s signing) doesn’t affect him zero,” Lewis said. “Obviously this was already underway last week, so Ced in the game had no affect on this thing.”
Benson said this morning on Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Radio morning show that he is feeling pretty good, calling it “just a minor speed bump in the road” and also supported the signing."
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