Bengals RBs feeling better after bye

CINCINNATI (AP)—Jeremi Johnson(notes) had his left leg perched on a wooden stool, a bag of ice draped across his sore knee. Bernard Scott(notes) walked around without bandage or brace—a good sign. Cedric Benson(notes)? Moving slowly, just like always.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ three banged-up running backs were back at it Monday, a little fresher after a four-day weekend. The bye gave them a chance to regroup for a two-game stretch that will go a long way in deciding the AFC North championship.

The Bengals are tied with Pittsburgh for first place at 5-2, with Baltimore a game back at 4-3. Cincinnati is 3-0 in the division, giving it an important tiebreaker edge.

Baltimore comes to town next Sunday, and the Bengals go to Pittsburgh a week later. If Cincinnati wins both games, it will be in control of the division with only one AFC North game left—against the lowly Browns.

For a franchise that has been to the playoffs only one time in the last 18 years, there’s a lot riding on the next two games.

“We’re in a good spot right now,” quarterback Carson Palmer(notes) said. “Being 5-2 and tied for first in the division—it’s ours to lose, really. We just need to hang on for as long as we can and finish the season with a bunch of wins and see what happens as far as the playoff picture’s concerned.

“But that’s a little far down the road for us right now. It’s about Baltimore, and then it’s about Pittsburgh. I don’t even know who we play after that, honestly.”

The focus during the bye week was to get their injured running backs and defensive linemen healed. The running back position was a particular concern— Benson was the only healthy one on the active roster during the fourth quarter of a 45-10 win over the Bears that sent them into the bye.

Benson had a career day against the Bears team that let him go, running for 189 yards and a touchdown. Johnson, a fullback, and Scott, a rookie backup, got hurt in the second half, forcing Benson to stay in the game and carry 37 times.

Despite having a week off, Benson still ranks second in the league with 164 carries. He’s fourth overall in yards with 720. He set his career highs with Cincinnati last season when he ran 214 times for 747 yards.

Benson went home to Texas and relaxed over the weekend. Asked if he felt better after a few days off, he said, “Naw, not at all. It’s good to have the rest mentally, but physically you probably would need more time than that.”

Scott, a sixth-round draft pick from Abilene Christian, won the backup spot and was starting to get more playing time until he hurt his right knee against the Bears. Scott worked out Monday and said the knee felt much better— apparently, nothing more severe than a bruise.

He stayed in Cincinnati over the weekend and got treatment every day to eliminate the inflammation.

“That’s the main thing,” Scott said. “I got a lot of treatment, and it felt real good today.”

Johnson, a seventh-year fullback who has struggled with weight problems throughout his career, was expected to have an expanded role this season—more than blocking out of the backfield. He has two carries and three catches, and has been lined up in different spots.

The knee injury leaves him uncertain for now. He said it was better on Monday, but he was still limited in what he could do. He’s hoping to get back soon to his new role in an offense that has been redesigned to emphasize the running game.

“I was going to do a lot of different things, things I’ve never done,” Johnson said. “It would be a chance to show my versatility. I’d block as a tight end, go in motion, do tight end things. I’ll be a true fullback. I’m enjoying it.”

Running back Brian Leonard(notes) was inactive for the last two games after hurting his groin, but has recovered and is expected to be ready to play against the Ravens.