Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said that running back Cedric Benson has been excused from practice for the next couple of days, according to tweets from Joe Reedy and Geoff Hobson. Benson is expected to appear for trial on Monday in Austin after being charged with assault during Memorial weekend in 2010. According to reports Benson got into an argument with patron in an Austin bar, who appeared unruly as he was forced to exit the establishment.

According to other reports, Benson felt threatened and was largely acting in self-defense. Marvin Lewis defended Benson publicly about the assault charge last year (which he never does with legal issues), claiming that Benson was "sucker punched". NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sat down with Benson and decided no discipline action was needed at the time with Benson's lawyer calling the discussions "productive." It took nearly a month after that actual assault before charges were pressed against Benson.

Benson was charged with a second assault in July after reportedly hitting a former roommate, they may result in discipline from the league. However since the assault happened during the NFL lockout, there's reason to believe Benson might not be disciplined by the league.