Fantasy Football Cut-N-Go: Bengals' Crowded Backfield

Cut-N-Go is Fantasy Football FanHouse's weekday roundup of the NFL news with fantasy football impact.

The Cincinnati Bengals could very well dress four healthy running backs this Sunday when the team plays Detroit. Cedric Benson will return from injury to join Larry Johnson, Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard in what looks to be a crowded backfield. Joe Kay of the Associated Press says that Benson will be the starter.

Cedric Benson is expected back as the focal point of the Cincinnati Bengals' new run-based offense, one that's become quite adept at grinding down defenses.

Coach Marvin Lewis said on Monday that Benson will start next weekend against Detroit, but he declined to say how he plans to handle his trio of running backs - four, if third-down specialist Brian Leonard is included. Rookie Bernard Scott has a case of turf toe that could limit his availability.

If you read that last statement carefully, you'll notice that Lewis has no idea how he will utilize these four runners. Without knowing who will get the most carries, it will be tough to count on any of them as a viable fantasy asset.

Josh Katzowitz of CBS Sports also noted that it might not be until Sunday that we find out each of the roles these four backs will fill.

Though coach Marvin Lewis was clear today in saying that RB Cedric Benson – who's missed the past two weeks with a hip injury – will start Sunday vs. the Lions, he was more coy when asked how he would split up the carries between Benson, Larry Johnson and Bernard Scott. "The only thing I have to figure out is how to win the game."

Asked if all four RBs could play this Sunday, coach Marvin Lewis conceded it was a possibility. "There's a chance for it. As we go around, I'll make that decision later in the week, if not Sunday."

The best advice comes from FanHouse writer Matt Snyder who spoke on Monday regarding how to handle this situation on your fantasy football team.

It doesn't matter who the Bengals running back is moving forward. Just as long as you know who it is and have him in your fantasy football starting lineup.

Let's just hope that we know who it is early enough.

Other Fantasy Football Notes

• Rex Ryan says that Mark Sanchez is still dealing with a sore knee, according to Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News. That news is especially troublesome considering the Jets play on Thursday this week.

• The Detroit Lions' pass defense is bad. If that wasn't enough of a newsflash for you, let me give you a heads up on some game-plan issues. The Bengals may throw the ball a lot on Sunday against Detroit. Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press says that Chad Ochocinco wants his team to throw the ball 50 times. If he gets his way, fantasy owners who own "85" and Carson Palmer will be happy campers.

• According to John Oehser, the Indianapolis Colts Examiner, Bill Polian says it's too early to be talking about resting players for the playoffs. But the general manager did say that he felt momentum was overrated when speaking of keeping players in the game so they don't cool off.

• Free agent Dominic Rhodes tried out for the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, says Aaron Wilson of Ravens Insider. It's been since Week 14 of the 2008 season that Rhodes has scored a touchdown and if you haven't noticed the Colts backfield doesn't have a lot of extra carries to go around. If Rhodes does sign, he likely won't have much fantasy value.

• Matt Bryant will be taking over the kicking duties in Atlanta as the team cut ties with Jason Elam. Before you sign Bryant, remember that the Falcons play Philadelphia and New Orleans over the next two weeks -- and they do so without Matt Ryan for one week and maybe Michael Turner too. Atlanta may have trouble scoring enough to make Bryant valuable.

• Michael David Smith of FanHouse and Pro Football Talk says that Terrell Owens is attributing his success over the last two weeks to Ryan Fitzpatrick and his ability to get him the ball the way Trent Edwards couldn't.