So if Leonard has a season ending injury?

[Kazkal]

-Give Dede a call?

- Bring in Westbrook?

-Try trade for someone?

[HairOnFire]

What's the latest news?

ESPN's James Walker claims the official diagnosis was a mild strain.

[Kazkal]

What's the latest news?

ESPN's James Walker claims the official diagnosis was a mild strain.

Hmmm Last I saw Hobnob was saying it was not good that Leonard seemed very down on it,But hopefully just a sprain.

Posted by hobsonschoice1 Posted on August 9, 2010 – 1:29 pm

If running back Brian Leonard’s face and voice read like an MRI Sunday night, he has suffered torn ligaments in his foot and that very well could be a season-ending injury

A league source outside Cincinnati said Monday they have contacted James Johnson, a former Bengal recently released from the Vikings. The 5-11, 205-pound Johnson played in four games at the end of the 2008 season and looked impressive catching the ball out of the backfield. He had 29 yards on nine carries and caught six balls for 47 yards. He’s best remembered for keeping the lone offensive touchdown drive against the Browns going in a 14-0 win at Cleveland on Dec. 21, 2008 when he converted third downs on a 12-yard run and 15-yard catch in Leonard-esque fashion.

Johnson, who didn’t play last season, arrived in Cincinnati in ’08 as a free agent out of Kansas State. He got crunched out of the roster last training camp with the trade for Leonard and drafting of Scott after a 2009 preseason he averaged 4.4 yards per rush on 23 carries. The Bengals cut him and then re-signed him to the practice squad, where he spent the entire season before opting to go to Minnesota in the offseason.

There was no word early Monday afternoon on Leonard.

[HairOnFire]

What's the latest news?

ESPN's James Walker claims the official diagnosis was a mild strain.

Hmmm Last I saw Hobnob was saying it was not good that Leonard seemed very down on it,But hopefully just a sprain.

I'm hoping Leonard is just being a pessimist, but no matter how serious it actually is it seems certain he'll be unavailable for several weeks. The update about James Johnson being contacted makes sense.

I was actually hoping to hear he'd broken a bone or something along those lines rather than deal with the uncertainty of torn or strained ligaments.

FWIW I thought that was a very ill-advised cut Leonard attempted and despite his remarks to the contrary I'm guessing he was injured before contact.

[membengal]

Even if Leonard is fine, I can seen them contacting Johnson, if only to get a back in for the preseason games behind Benson/Scott who doesn't suck. I hated what I saw out of the Eason character. Made me yearn for Dede Dorsey brand of training camp fodder.

[jjakq27]

Latest I heard was a possible slight fracture of his shin. Approximately two weeks until they know whether he will be able to play this season or not.

[HairOnFire]

Yeah, they're now saying they'll evaluate how things are healing in two weeks. Likely return in 4-6 weeks if surgery isn't required.

James Johnson said to be signed and in camp as soon as tomorrow.

[Stripes]

Good pickup then. Nice that last preseason's running back logjam is paying dividends now.

[HoosierCat]

Per Reedy tonight, a Lisfranc injury. Leonard sees a specialist tomorrow. Could be back by week one, could be done for the year. We'll see.

[Stripes]

With news like that I wish they could just say "gone for the season" and leave open the chance for pleasant surprise.

[Trevor]

Damnit,.. Leanard saved our ass so many times last year idk many others who couldve done that for us...

[BengalszoneBilly]

Damnit,.. Leanard saved our ass so many times last year idk many others who couldve done that for us...

Last year Brian did very well in clutch plays, and I sincerely hope he makes it back. That dude showed heart, and that counts for a lot in my book. But even if he does get sidelined, I honestly believe the Bengals have other players in the offensive backfield that are able to pick up the slack, but success of that IMHO lies in the ability of the offensive line. Same goes for Carson and the passing game. Open up the running lanes, provide time in the pocket, and I know this team can make the playoffs. It's all won or lost on the LOS.

[Trevor]

Damnit,.. Leanard saved our ass so many times last year idk many others who couldve done that for us...

Last year Brian did very well in clutch plays, and I sincerely hope he makes it back. That dude showed heart, and that counts for a lot in my book. But even if he does get sidelined, I honestly believe the Bengals have other players in the offensive backfield that are able to pick up the slack, but success of that IMHO lies in the ability of the offensive line. Same goes for Carson and the passing game. Open up the running lanes, provide time in the pocket, and I know this team can make the playoffs. It's all won or lost on the LOS.

True,.. Definately true,.. Idk i think dallas just really showed our weakness,.. Super quick and strong lineman against our strong and hit you in the mouth lineman,.. We should do well against most teams oline wise,. Whit will hold his own,.. I'm hoping mathis can take his spot back,.. And big dre should do well when he loses that unnatural weight,.. Good thing we still have about 5 weeks til the patriots...

[BengalPimp]

I've mentioned it before, so why not again? Bring in Brian Westbrook!!! He doesn't need to be the primary guy, we have Benson for that, and for everything that Leonard did when he played last year on 3rd Down, Westbrook would be the best 3rd Down back in the league! Honestly, We all like Leonard and hope he can play, but IMHO there is not a RB with a better set of hands available. I also am not concerned with injury because Westbrook wouldn't get more than 5-10 touches a game (if that). But he has potential to do a lot with those 5 touches. Again, if Leonard cant go, it will be a RB who can catch the ball out of the backfield, and I'm not sure James Johnson is that back.

*Note: Westbrook has only played 8 seasons, but has caught over 50 passes in 5 of them.

**Note: Westbrook has never averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in his career (including last years 4.5)

[jonf45uk]

So if Leonard had a season ending injury?

we might as well punt on 3rd down......

[BengalPimp]

BTW the interest in James Johnson might have more to do with Cordera Eason showing nothing, then injuring his ankle in the Hall Of Fame Game.

[BengalPimp]

So if Leonard had a season ending injury?

we might as well punt on 3rd down......

no, no, no, Jermaine Gresham will be Mr. 3rd Down by season's end.

[ArmyBengal]

Holy sh*t, let the meltdown continue.

WHAT DO WE DO WITHOUT LEONARD ??? Oh noooooooo.

While I love what he brought to the team last year and think he's a tough nosed kind of runner that does multiple things out of the backfield, the Bengals have improved in such a way that I wouldn't have been surprised to see Leonard have a much diminished role in this seasons offense. That's not to say that it's a definitive and I don't "want" to lose him for the season, but holy hell people. Have some faith.

Dallas didn't show a Bengals weakness for sh*t. It was a preseason game for Christs sake.

[derekshank]

Holy sh*t, let the meltdown continue.

WHAT DO WE DO WITHOUT LEONARD ??? Oh noooooooo.

The Bengals likely would have lost to Pittsburgh last year without him. Other than that one amazing 4th down play, I can't point to anything he did that can't be duplicated.

Sure, any injuries suck... but if one of the RBs had to get hurt, Leonard would have been my first choice. I don't want to see this team without Benson or Scott. Either one of those losses would be far more difficult to replace.

[jjakq27]

I've mentioned it before, so why not again? Bring in Brian Westbrook!!! He doesn't need to be the primary guy, we have Benson for that, and for everything that Leonard did when he played last year on 3rd Down, Westbrook would be the best 3rd Down back in the league! Honestly, We all like Leonard and hope he can play, but IMHO there is not a RB with a better set of hands available. I also am not concerned with injury because Westbrook wouldn't get more than 5-10 touches a game (if that). But he has potential to do a lot with those 5 touches. Again, if Leonard cant go, it will be a RB who can catch the ball out of the backfield, and I'm not sure James Johnson is that back.

*Note: Westbrook has only played 8 seasons, but has caught over 50 passes in 5 of them.

**Note: Westbrook has never averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in his career (including last years 4.5)

Good idea.

[jjakq27]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100809/SPT02/8100355/1066/SPT02/Leonard-s-injury-a-concern

He will visit a specialist Tuesday after undergoing tests on Monday in Cincinnati. The injury was initially diagnosed as a mid-foot sprain, but there was limited equipment at Canton's Fawcett Stadium.

The diagnosis ranges anywhere from Leonard missing the rest of the preseason to being out for the season.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

The Bengals likely would have lost to Pittsburgh last year without him. Other than that one amazing 4th down play, I can't point to anything he did that can't be duplicated.

Sure, any injuries suck... but if one of the RBs had to get hurt, Leonard would have been my first choice. I don't want to see this team without Benson or Scott. Either one of those losses would be far more difficult to replace.

That play was certainly a biggie, and it seemed as if there were other important 1st downs he picked up but I can't recall offhand. I realize that we now have a WR Zoo, and even potentially an embarrassment of riches at TE, but still - having a pass-catching RB is a very good thing. Can Scott pick that up?

Certainly the notion of bringing in Westbrook would work if he'll take the reduced role. I think he might hold out for something better, though.

[kingwilly]

Cordera waived...James Johnson re-signed.

I held Johnson in high regard when we got to see him in action. Always ran very hard and had good hands. Very quick and shifty. He will get another chance to provide some pre-season work.

If Leonard is out for the year, I won't be upset if they keep Johnson as the third RB.

[HairOnFire]

I've mentioned it before, so why not again? Bring in Brian Westbrook!!!

Several weeks ago I heard Michael Lombardi discuss which teams might be interested in signing Westbrook. Long story short Lombardi claimed his sources had told him Westbrook had almost nothing left in his tank even when healthy, and due to wear and tear probably couldn't complete a full training camp without physically breaking down. He guessed Westbrook wouldn't be signed by anyone until after the season started, probably by a team that had just lost a starter or important role player for no more than 4 to 6 weeks. Should the injured player be expected to miss more time than that Lombardi guessed those teams would look elsewhere for a replacement who could fill in for a longer period than Westbrook would be capable of.

[kingwilly]

I've mentioned it before, so why not again? Bring in Brian Westbrook!!!

Several weeks ago I heard Michael Lombardi discuss which teams might be interested in signing Westbrook. Long story short Lombardi claimed his sources had told him Westbrook had almost nothing left in his tank even when healthy, and due to wear and tear probably couldn't complete a full training camp without physically breaking down. He guessed Westbrook wouldn't be signed by anyone until after the season started, probably by a team that had just lost a starter or important role player for no more than 4 to 6 weeks. Should the injured player be expected to miss more time than that Lombardi guessed those teams would look elsewhere for a replacement who could fill in for a longer period than Westbrook would be capable of.

Pass on the Westbrook idea.

There will be no shortage of guys coming available in the next 3-5 weeks. 90% will be better than Westbrook.