Cedric Benson placed on IR, designated for return

Benson was placed in injured reserve shortly afterward originally suffering the injury, but had the opportunity to come off IR if the injury healed in time. However, his injury did not heal as well as the team had hoped, and he had to be shut down for the season.

Under the new roster rules this season, Benson has been designated for return from the injured reserve, something each team can do with a player once per season. Previously, a player was done for the year if placed on the injured reserve.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy is hopeful Benson can return in time to play in the team’s final regular season games, according to Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

While the Packers didn’t stray from Benson early in the season, the running back hasn’t exactly torn through defenses so far this season. Over the first five games of 2012, he’s carried the ball 71 times for 248 yards and a touchdown, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. He’s also caught 14 passes for 97 yards.

However, this is against the Colts and it’s already 14-0, so anything is possible.