Cedric Benson: Updates on Bengals RB's Suspension and Week 4 Fantasy Value

Cedric Benson has been a solid fantasy contributor, considering that after his arrest this summer and prison stay, few fantasy players even thought of drafting him outside of a late-round flyer. 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Benson for three games for his summer indiscretions. Benson appealed the suspension and has so far been able to keep himself on the football field. That may come to an end this week, as Benson finds out the results of his appeal to the league office.

For updates and fantasy analysis regarding Benson's status for Week 4, check back here periodically for all the latest.

Update: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 5:15 p.m. EDT

Benson did not let his potential suspension or legal woes get in the way of his play. 

He rushed 19 times for 104 yards and helped the Bengals to their first win of the season over Buffalo.

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 12:40 p.m. EDT

Jim Anderson, the Bengals RB coach, says that the distractions off the field have not effected Benson in a negative way and he should be good to go today.

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"He's handled it very well," Anderson said of Benson dealing with the various distractions that have arisen this season. The Bengals' longtime RB coach noted, "You can tell he loves football, because when he comes to practice, he works hard."

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UPDATE: Saturday, Oct. 1 at 3:15 p.m. EDT

Cedric Benson is constantly in trouble, and now his latest suspension is stuck in the courts which mean the NFL can’t legally suspend him until it’s cleared up.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter is reporting on twitter about Benson’s availability for Sunday:

Enjoy him while you have him in your fantasy league, because he won’t be around for awhile longer. While that’s bad news for now, keep an eye on him as a waiver pickup for the weeks he comes back with his fresh legs.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 12:30 p.m. EST

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis definitively told Geoff Hobson of CincinnatiBengals.com that Benson will dress and play in Sunday's game.

Fantasy players desperate for another running back should tread lightly when putting Benson in the lineup. He has a lot of other things on his mind right now.

Don't play him expecting him to be at his absolute best against the Bills.

Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 12:00 p.m. EST

Benson believes that he is playing on Sunday against the Bills, according to the team's official Twitter feed.

The troubled running back has appealed his three-game suspension. NFL official Harold Henderson heard his appeal and, according to ESPN.com, has not issued a ruling. There is no time frame for a ruling to be handed down.

Benson said that he believes the suspension was unfair and unjust, which is why he filed the appeal in the first place.

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There were some things in the CBA that we were not made aware of, which is really no surprise. That kind of falls on the (players' association). You would think they're here to support you and have your back -- that's what a union does. I guess in my case, it's different.

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Despite Benson's optimism about playing this week, fantasy owners should hang on to Bernard Scott because the odds of Benson being ready to handle a full load are slim.

And if Henderson has a last-minute change of heart, it is entirely possible that Benson will not be able to play this week.