Who Is The Most Indispensable Player on The Cincinnati Bengals?

John Lopez, from SI.com recently published an article listing the AFC All-Indispensable Team.  He picked one player that each team cannot afford to lose.

Obviously, Carson Palmer is the most important player on the team.  However, because most teams would be devastated to lose their starting quarterback, they were not included in the rankings.

Receiver Chris Henry was the player Lopez said the Bengals could not afford to lose.  Now that Henry seemingly has his life turned around, Marvin Lewis and company hope that the off-field troubles are finally over. 

Henry's talent or ability has never been a question.  I have often said that he is the most gifted receiver on the team, including Chad Ochocinco and (former Bengal) T.J. Houshmandzadeh.  His ability to out leap defensive backs makes him especially dangerous in the red zone.

However, I think the situation would be much worse if Cedric Benson was out for an extended period of time.  Henry, Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles and Andre Caldwell provide some depth at wide receiver.

The Bengals are very thin at running back.  Brian Leonard played in just two games for the Rams last year because of a shoulder injury.  In my opinion, DeDe Dorsey is not an every down back.  An injury to Benson would almost eliminate an already questionable running attack, forcing Palmer to throw more often.

Palmer throwing a lot is not the problem.  The problem is having the opposing defense fully aware that you have no running game.