A day after reports surfaced that Pittsburgh Steelers may have lost starting right tackle Willie Colon to a torn Achilles tendon, the Cincinnati Bengals learned that running back Cedric Benson was arrested today and charged with misdemeanor assault.
According to the Associated Press, Benson allegedly punched an Austin, Texas, bar employee in the face nearly a month ago. He was booked into the Travis County jail where he later posted bail and was released, authorities told the AP.
Benson was at Annie's West bar in the Sixth Street entertainment district on May 30 when he allegedly got into an altercation with another patron that left him spitting blood from a cut lip, according to the Austin police arrest affidavit. Witnesses told police that Benson shoved a bar worker after staff members stepped in and was verbally abusive.
The AP reported that Benson attorney Sam Bassett's office said Bassett would release a statement later.
Benson was drafted in the first round by the Bears in 2005, but his previous legal troubles prompted Chicago to cut him in 2008. He signed as a free agent with the Bengals and rushed for a career-high 1,251 yards and six touchdowns in 2009.
In two victories over the Ravens in less than a month last season, Benson went over 100 yards. He rushed for 120 yards on 27 carries and scored a TD on Oct. 11 and added 117 yards on 34 carries and a TD on Nov. 8.
