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Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson - Source: Reuters -
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Controversial running back Larry Johnson signed a contract on
Wednesday to represent the Cincinnati Bengals in a backup role,
according to the league's official website (www.nfl.com).
Johnson was released by the Kansas City Chiefs eight days ago after
being suspended for "conduct detrimental to the club".
"He's starting from scratch," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told a
news conference. "He knows what he has at stake and at risk. He
gets an opportunity to start anew, just like anybody would.
"He's paid the price for what's gone on in his past, things he's
said, things he's done. And it came to a finality in Kansas City.
Now he's here, and it's a new start, a new opportunity. It's what
we're all excited about."
The Bengals waived defensive tackle Orien Harris to open a spot on
the roster for Johnson, who will give the AFC North leaders depth
in the position for the rest of the season.
"He would be an insurance policy if something would happen to our
guys, where he would have a chance to be active," Lewis said of
Johnson who will be fourth on the depth chart.
Backup player
"(His role would be as) a backup player on this team, doing all the
things backup players do, and that's work their tails off in the
kicking game and showing looks and so forth."
Johnson, 29, was released by the Chiefs on November 9 after his
former club and the NFL had investigated alleged comments made by
the player.
According to the Kansas City Star, Johnson posted demeaning
comments, directed at Chiefs coach Todd Haley, on his Twitter feed
hours after the 37-7 loss to the San Diego Chargers on October
25.
The newspaper reported Johnson also used derogatory language in a
reply to a follower on Twitter and to a reporter.
A first-round pick by the Chiefs in the 2003 draft, Johnson set an
NFL single-season record with 416 rushing attempts in 2006 when he
set a franchise single-season mark with 1,789 rushing yards.
In 75 games with the Chiefs he rushed 1,375 times for 5,996 yards
with 55 touchdowns.
