Running Back Larry Johnson Expected to Sign With Bengals, Monday

Former Kansas Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was released last week as a result of gay slurs that he made to reporters and fans as well as ongoing conflicts between Johnson and the Chiefs coaching staff. ESPN is reporting that the formerly disgruntled and highly controversial running back is expected to sign with the AFC North leading Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.

Bengals starting running back Cedric Benson sustained a strained hip injury during Sunday's 18-12 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and his status is uncertain for the team's Week 12 matchup against the Oakland Raiders. Benson was replaced in the Steelers game by undrafted free agent rookie running back Bernard Scott, who earlier in the game returned a kickoff 96 yards for the only touchdown of the day from either team.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis downplayed the significance of the team's expected acquisition of Larry Johnson by saying that his role "Would be as a fourth running back and an opportunity as a backup player on this football team doing all the things backup players do, and that's work their tails off. He would be an insurance policy if something would happen down the line to one of our guys."

The controversy surrounding Johnson revolves around comments he made on his Twitter account two weeks ago when he insulted his own followers, made gay slurs and expressed his frustration with Chiefs head coach Todd Haley. Johnson has also been arrested on charges of domestic violence against women on multiple occasions.