Johnson Signs For League Minimum, Will Be Fourth-String Back

The team still has not put out an official announcement (they will have to cut someone from the 53-man roster), but we know that Larry Johnson is indeed a Bengal, signing a one-year deal for the league minimum ($306,764.43). As Adam Schefter points out, things really worked out quite nicely for LJ:

Johnson is already in Cincinnati, arriving and meeting with the coaching staff Monday night. Head coach Marvin Lewis is saying that the addition of LJ will not affect the roles of the team’s other running backs.

“It would have zero affect on Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott or Brian Leonard,” Lewis said. “I’m very happy right now with what they’re doing and their roles and I want to see Bernard’s role continue to expand as it did yesterday.”

Benson, who suffered an abductor strain in Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh, will be limited in practice and is expected to be a game-time decision this week. And for now, everyone’s saying the right things about Johnson’s signing.

“I had an opportunity to visit with Cedric, and it (Johnson’s signing) doesn’t affect him zero,” Lewis said. “Obviously this was already underway last week, so Ced in the game had no affect on this thing.”

Benson said this morning on Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Radio morning show that he is feeling pretty good, calling it “just a minor speed bump in the road” and also supported the signing.

“It’s good for him. I was once in that position and he’s getting his opportunity again,” Benson said. “In all aspects we definitely plan on it to be a contribution to the team. If he can help the team in a positive way then I’m all for that.”

Lewis added, “[Johnson] would be an insurance policy if something would happen to our guys where he would have a chance to be active. I can’t foresee him being active when he was initially there if this happens. That’s what I told him.”