Bernard Scott: Is Cedric Benson's Backup Better Fantasy Option Going Forward?

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson will be in the starting lineup when the Bengals face the San Francisco 49ers today, but a pending suspension clouds the seventh year pro's fantasy football future and may open the door for running back Bernard Scott to become a player of significant interest to fantasy owners.

Benson has been a serviceable fantasy option to this point in the season, rushing for 180 yards and scoring one touchdown through two games, but he now faces a three-game suspension for violating the National Football League's personal conduct policy.

The suspension results from plea arrangements Benson made in regards to two misdemeanor assault cases that resulted in Benson serving five days in jail last month.

Benson is scheduled to have his appeal heard by the league Tuesday, and Mike Florio of PFT reports that Benson is also filing an unfair labor practice charge against the NFLPA, claiming that the union had no right to include his name on an August 4 list of players that could be subject to league discipline.

These appeals could take some time to be resolved, but should Cedric Benson miss time, the job of lead back in the Bengals backfield would fall to fourth-year veteran Bernard Scott.

Scott has shown in the past that he can be a capable NFL running back, averaging 4.5 yards a carry over his career and performing fairly well in two starts in relief of an injured Benson in 2009.

In addition, many pundits believe that Scott is a much more explosive back than Cedric Benson, who at this point in his career is more of a "plodder" type, and more than a few "experts" (myself included) believe that Bernard Scott may actually be a better option for the Cincinnati Bengals than Benson.

Until this whole situation shakes out, Cedric Benson will remain the top dog among Bengals running backs, but should he miss several weeks and afford Bernard Scott a prolonged audition of sorts, he may well have a hard time regaining that spot upon his return.

If you're a fantasy owner of Cedric Benson, adding Bernard Scott has to be at the very top of your waiver wire priority list next week, and owners in fantasy football leagues that have an extra roster spot to burn might just want to add Scott to their rosters in the hopes that he can claim the starting job in the Queen City and run with the opportunity.