Ex-Chiefs RB Larry Johnson expects to sign with the Bengals, ESPN.com reported Monday, citing a source close to the negotiations. Cincinnati's starting tailback, Cedric Benson, suffered a hip flexor injury in Sunday's 18-12 win at Pittsburgh. According to ESPN.com, the contract is expected to be for the prorated league veteran minimum.

The Chiefs released Johnson last week after suspending him for a pair of incidents in which he reportedly used anti-gay slurs.

Johnson, who turns 30 on Thursday, started seven games for the Chiefs this season, rushing for only 377 yards on 132 carries (2.9 ypc). He has rushed for 6,015 yards in seven NFL seasons.

Benson reportedly said Monday that he intends to play in Cincinnati's next game Nov. 22 at Oakland, but he sat out the second half of the victory against the Steelers. Rookie Bernard Scott and veteran Brian Leonard saw an increase in work with Benson out of the lineup.

According to the Bengals' official Twitter account, head coach Marvin Lewis indicated Monday that Benson could play against the Raiders, but the club would exercise caution. Also, per the Bengals' Twitter account, Lewis said that if Johnson were to sign this week, he would be inactive vs. Oakland and would be the club's fourth back. 

The PFW spin

Johnson would be a fine fit with the Bengals for a variety of reasons, and the reported mutual interest between both parties is understandable. In many ways, the Bengals need Johnson, and Johnson needs the Bengals.

Here's why the deal makes sense:

• It might allow the Bengals to eventually decrease Benson's workload and give them an accomplished, capable replacement for Benson if the hip flexor injury lingers. Through the first eight games of the season, Benson was on pace for nearly 400 carries, and he had appeared on the injury report with ankle, knee and hip ailments before being forced to the sideline with the hip-flexor injury Sunday.

• Johnson could benefit from less work. He hasn't been the same since logging 752 carries in the 2005-06 seasons. He carried 416 times in the '06 regular season alone.

• Johnson would have the luxury of working with a far better supporting cast than he has had in several years. The Bengals' offense is superior in about every way to the Chiefs' attack. Johnson would be running behind a much better line, and he wouldn't be facing defenses geared up to stop the run; teams facing the Bengals, of course, better be concerned about QB Carson Palmer and a talented group of receivers, too.

• The Bengals have had success giving players second chances before, with Benson the most obvious example of Cincinnati gambling on a talented player and winning. Players who sign with the Bengals have to know they are going to get a fair shot from Lewis, the coaching staff and owner Mike Brown.

• If signed, Johnson would be worked into the mix slowly. No unreasonable expectations would be placed upon him. What's more, Lewis isn't going to upset the status quo, considering how well the team has played without Johnson. Per the Bengals' Twitter feed, Lewis has told Benson he remains the lead back, a nod to both Benson's outstanding production and team chemistry. Benson has earned that role and deserves to keep it if healthy.

• RB coach Jim Anderson, one of the most respected assistants in the game, should be able to garner Johnson's respect. Anderson had a major hand in the Benson signing and has worked with every star Bengals back dating back to James Brooks. Johnson, the son of a coach, needs to understand how much Anderson can help him.

• Johnson has every reason to be motivated. He would be joining a winning team that's a legitimate contender. What's more, a successful short stint in Cincinnati might allow him to earn one more lucrative, multi-year contract next offseason.