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Dependable Rudi faces injury
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
CINCINNATI — Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson has been the picture of production over the years.
Nobody in the NFL carried the ball more often from 2004 to 2006 than "The Doctor of Durability."
Extras
But there's a dent in Johnson's armor in the form of a strained hamstring suffered Sunday at Seattle. He joins middle linebacker Caleb Miller (lower back) on head coach Marvin Lewis' list of "guys who were a little bit banged up in the game that we're unsure about (against New England)."
If Johnson is sidelined Monday night, Kenny Watson will get an opportunity to keep his momentum going. He sparked the offense with nine carries for 60 yards and a TD against the Seahawks.
"We put the next guy up and we go," Lewis said. "You saw that when Kenny replaced Rudi.
"He's a little different style of runner than Rudi. He has certain runs we do offensively that have been set up a little different than where Rudi's strengths are. We have a lot of confidence in Kenny."
While Johnson is a sledgehammer between the tackles, Watson is more of a slasher. He hits the hole quickly and can make defenders miss.
Johnson, who was held to 9 yards on 17 carries at Seattle, ran several times out of the no-huddle offense. Watson benefited from the unit huddling up.
"The difference was we were lining up in the huddle and calling plays (for Watson)," Lewis said. "That sometimes can be a big difference in our guys up front being aggressive and attacking. There's a different sense of what (their) job and responsibility is within that. Our offensive line does a better job of getting off the football that way."
The Bengals added an insurance policy Tuesday when they signed running back DeDe Dorsey to a two-year contract.
The 5-foot-11, 196 pounder from an NAIA school (Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.), spent the 2006 preseason with the Bengals only to be claimed off waivers from Indianapolis and win a Super Bowl ring as a rookie. The Colts cut him Sept. 2.
"Nothing takes the place of experience," Dorsey said. "I'm going to come in more knowledgeable and confident than when I first got here."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Run, Rudi, run
Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson has more carries in the past three seasons (2004-06) than any player in the NFL. Now he's questionable for the New England game after suffering a hamstring injury at Seattle.
| Player, Team | Att. | Yds. | TDs | ||
| 1. Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati | 1,039 | 4,221 | 36 | ||
| 2. Edgerrin James, Ind./Ariz. | 1,031 | 4,213 | 28 | ||
| 3. LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D. | 1,026 | 4,612 | 63 | ||
| 4. Tiki Barber, N.Y. Giants | 1,006 | 5,040 | 27 |
