Bengals cut running back Kenny Watson

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 4, 2008 1:01 PM EDT in Player Transactions

UPDATE: Watson could be signed back.
Bengals could sign Kenny Watson back after Sunday's game against the Cowboys, writes Geoff Hobson. "With head coach Marvin Lewis saying Friday that he thought Watson could get ready for next week's game against the Jets that may mean Watson is back soon."

In a very surprising move Saturday afternoon, the Bengals decided to part ways with backup running back Kenny Watson, opening a roster spot for wide receiver Chris Henry. Henry's activation was expected... using Watson's spot wasn't.

The move is especially surprising considering the team's lack of depth at running back. After Perry felt soreness in his hamstring Monday morning, the team kept his reps limited until Friday's practice. DeDe Dorsey was placed on Injured Reserve after the loss to the Browns. Later, the Bengals signed Cedric Benson in response to the shortage at running back. Then, on Saturday afternoon the Bengals cut Kenny Watson; now we're back to two active running backs on the 53-man roster.

Chris Perry
Cedric Benson

James Johnson still sits on the team's practice squad, and in order for him to join the 53-man roster, the Bengals will have to open a spot on the roster.

Watson joined Cincinnati in 2003, playing in 60 games with the Bengals, rushing for 1,094 yards on 236 carries and eight rushing touchdowns. His career-year came in 2007, relieving the oft-injured Rudi Johnson, rushing for 763 yards and scoring seven touchdowns -- he picked up 40 first downs on 178 carries. In four seasons in which he wasn't hurt and actually rushed the ball, his season yards-per-rush average were 6.2, 5.5, 4.3 and 4.6 respectively.

UPDATE: Dave agrees that releasing Watson is a bad move. However, NFL.com says that Watson was released because our RB position is crowded. LOL. I suppose two IS a crowd.

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Comments

what the hell!?

i thought it was a typo…surely they mean Watson Out, not Watson Cut….this makes, no sense

by swebbIL on Oct 4, 2008 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

I can’t explain it. Either they’re going with two running backs, or have another running back ready to bring up (either in James Johnson or another free agent… aka, Alexander).

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by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 4, 2008 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

To hell with 2008

Looks like Marv has written this year off already with all the house cleaning. Or talent cleaning as many of the cases have been. Can Simpson or Cauldwell be used as RB? Looks like I’ll be doing yardwork now on Sundays.

by mskiles314 on Oct 4, 2008 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

do we care at all about chemistry?

everyone keeps saying that they “just can’t get it going”. well maybe the fact that there is no chemistry between the players has a little something to do with that…and so we go an cut a guy that the QB loves and players respect…to make room for “Slim”….I mean, wow

by swebbIL on Oct 4, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, this is stupid

A crappy Cedric Benson and an off-injured Chris Perry? (Who isn’t even averaging 3 a carry)

This is confusing. It’s only a matter of time for Marvin Lewis now.

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by MrNFL on Oct 4, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

I guess it makes a little sense to cut Watson if he wasn’t going to play this week and they are sure that they can sign him next week, instead of cutting someone like Coates. But we are playing Dallas, is it worth losing one of our best special teamers and possibly our best running back?

At any rate, this is a pretty big vote of confidence for Cedric Benson. But I guess he earned it on the practice field, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week.

by R.F. Mehl on Oct 4, 2008 5:55 PM EDT reply actions