DDN: Bengals Expected To Sign RB James Johnson Tuesday

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 10, 2010 11:04 AM EDT in Contracts

While it's still relatively unknown how long Brian Leonard could be out for, the Bengals are generally concerned about their lack of depth at running back. Along with Leonard, Cordera Eason was injured against the Cowboys and Cedric Peerman didn't bother playing due to a hamstring injury. The team's lone healthy running backs are Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott -- yet, we have four preseason games to get them through healthy. Yikes.

According to Ken Paxson of the Dayton Daily News, the Bengals are "expected to sign running back James Johnson" on Tuesday. After being promoted from the team's practice squad, even playing in the final two games with the Bengals in 2008, Johnson spent all of 2009 on the Bengals' practice squad. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings in mid-January before he was waived on June 14. During last year's preseason, he recorded 102 yards rushing on 23 attempts playing in all four games. He's credited with 29 yards rushing on nine carries in his NFL career, including six receptions for 47 yards.

During the Bengals 14-0 win over the Cleveland Browns during week 16 of the 2008 season, Johnson led the team with three receptions and 27 yards receiving during Ryan Fitzpatrick's legendary 55-yard passing performance.

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I'd rather have Westbrook or Faulk.

But I guess Johnson isn’t a bad signing. He knows the offense a little bit and is a pretty good player.

"Before I write I let my mind go blind and let the Lord do His thing. " -Tupac Shakur

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it looks like work." -Thomas Edison

by sexsalad on Aug 10, 2010 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed that either Westbook or Faulk could be a good fit for the Bengals. I suppose that Johnson is OK, but we might need whomever is picked up for a while and I’d rather have a better player as opposed to someone we know.

by bones on Aug 10, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Forget Westbrook

2010 - The Year of the Tiger.

by UpStateMike on Aug 10, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd probably lean more towards Faulk at this point as well.

Too much injury risk with Westbrook I think.

by Craig Conrad on Aug 10, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Youth

While experience is good, if they just want a guy for the preseason, youth is better served, especially if they think that Scott can be productive as the 3rd down back in addition to his return duties. That leaves Peerman or Eason to spell Benson between the 20’s.

by jim0ijk on Aug 10, 2010 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

I might be blindly optimistic, but

I don’t think that Leonard will be out for the year. I’m guessing 4-6 weeks. I think that Johnson is not only a response to Leonard AND Eason getting hurt, but also because the coaches aren’t enamored with Eason (he fumbled Sunday and really didn’t do all that much else). So, I think Johnson is a training camp body and they may also look at a veteran. I think the veteran route may be if the worst-case scenario happens with Leonard, though.

by Anthony Cosenza on Aug 10, 2010 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

We need bodies to bang up for the next preseason games.

no matter what Brian’s timeline is to return to us, we need to get Benson and Scott the hell out of the preseason when Carson and Chad and TO get out. Don’t risk things, which is EXACTLY why Leonard is injured right now. Sure it could happen whenever, but they should have treated him as a key player and not risked it. Now what?

2010 - The Year of the Tiger.

by UpStateMike on Aug 10, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Ryan Fitzpatrick's legendary 55-yard passing performance.

LOL

by minddrifter on Aug 10, 2010 6:37 PM EDT reply actions

as much as i detest ryan fitzpatrick for that season i’d like to forget, i have to admit the guy has been the anti-shayne graham since he left; fitz has been nothing but classy regarding the bengals and the city, at least as far as i know, and that’s kind of nice to see.

i'm going to go america all over your ass!

by Raging Clue on Aug 11, 2010 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions