Bengals will sign ex-Chiefs RB Johnson to fill backup role has 2 comments

Nov 17th 2009, 00:09 | FFN-Score: 4 points

Larry Johnson will get a chance to revive his troubled NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, as the former Kansas City Chiefs running back will sign with the team, NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reports.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in a press conference on Monday that Johnson would be in Cincinnati to discuss a limited role -- fourth-string running back, essentially an insurance policy in case Cedric Benson's hip injury gets worse or another running back gets hurt.

"That's what his role would be, it would be as a fourth running back and an opportunity as a backup player on this football team doing all the things backup players do, and that's work their tails off in the kicking game and showing looks (on the scout team) and so forth that way," Lewis said. "And then he would be an insurance policy if something would happen down the line to one of our guys where he'd have a chance to be active.

"But I couldn't foresee him being active when he was initially here, if this is what happens. And that's what I've told him."

Lewis said the interest in Johnson is unrelated to Benson's injury. Benson, who is among the league leaders in rushing yards, strained a hip muscle and couldn't finish an 18-12 win in Pittsburgh on Sunday that left the Bengals (7-2) in control of the AFC North.

Benson is expected to practice on a limited basis this week. Lewis said there's a chance he could play Sunday in Oakland.

Johnson turns 30 on Thursday and is coming off several years of decline. He also created controversies while with the Kansas City Chiefs, who released him last week on the day he was due back from his second suspension in the last 12 months.

The Bengals have a history of giving extra chances to troubled players. Owner Mike Brown brought Chris Henry back to the team before the 2008 season -- over Lewis' disagreement -- and the receiver has stayed out of trouble since then. Henry is out for the rest of the season with a broken left arm.

Information from the Associated Press was included in this report