Bernard

Scott

Now six months removed from his ACL tear, Scott is starting to get nibbles. He’ll go through some drills in Oakland, hoping to prove he’s on his way to 100 percent. The Raiders currently have only Jeremy Stewart and Marcel Reece behind starter Darren McFadden, while the Bengals have been forthright in their desire to add a speed element next to BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Scott ran a 4.44 forty at the 2009 Combine and has averaged 4.05 yards per carry in his career.

Once considered a starting-caliber back behind Maurice Jones-Drew, Jennings flopped in his opportunity to showcase his skills as a featured back. He averaged just 2.80 yards per carry and showed an inability to stay healthy in 2012. He adds to the list of players whose careers are trending in the wrong direction being considered by Reggie McKenzie. Former Bengal Bernard Scott also worked out for the team.

It’s Scott’s first action since being released by the Bengals two weeks ago. He opened the season on the reserve/PUP list as he recovered from ACL surgery but was dumped after two games. The Raiders were just taking a look-see.

Benson has a hearing Tuesday in Cincinnati regarding his unfair labor practice charge against the NFLPA. He also has a non-injury grievance filed in relation to the suspension. There likely just isn’t enough time for all that to be sorted out by Tuesday night -- the league’s tentative deadline for suspension-related matters to be resolved. Bernard Scott is left as a mere stash for Week 6 against the Colts. The Bengals have a bye in Week 7.

The Bengals are on a bye this week before taking on the Seahawks’ underrated run defense in Week 8. Nothing is official yet, but we’d expect Benson to sit that game out. Bernard Scott would serve as the feature back, with Brian Leonard chipping in on passing downs. Benson currently ranks ninth in the league with 458 rushing yards, but is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry.

Cedric Benson’s attorney is currently reviewing the NFL’s decision to reduce the three-game suspension to one game. It’s likely they’ll accept that and serve the suspension against the Seahawks on Oct. 30. Scott projects to receive 15-20 touches in that game, making him a must-stash in fantasy this week. Brian Leonard would chip in as a bit player on passing downs.

“They want to go with more than one featured back,” said Reedy. “I think they want to work Bernard Scott in a little more.” Cedric Benson won’t be back, and Reedy mentioned draft prospects Lamar Miller and Trent Richardson, as well as free agent Michael Bush potentially pair with Scott. Scott, 28, averaged a career-low 3.39 yards per carry in 2011, but played better than the numbers indicate. He’ll be an interesting mid- to late-round pick in 2012 fantasy drafts.

“I don’t know what it will be,” Gruden said of the rotation. “But (Green-Ellis) deserves to carry the ball. (Bernard) Scott deserves more carries. ... If a guy gets hot, he’ll get the carries. They both understand that. ... That’s going to be worked out in training camp.” Although Scott has a stark playmaking edge, Gruden loves Green-Ellis’ ball security and ability to avoid negative plays.

“I can’t tell you if it’s 1A or 1B, but [Green-Ellis] would be along with Bernard (Scott),” said Lewis, “and whoever else we get would have an opportunity to play.” We suspect Scott will start out as the 1B to Green-Ellis’ 1A, but it’s a long season. BJGE doesn’t have the talent to keep the job week-in and week-out in a lesser offense against defenses that will no longer be primarily in nickel and dime formations.

Green-Ellis averaged 12.8 carries in his final two seasons with the Patriots, and could get a workload similar to what he had in New England. Former sixth-round pick Bernard Scott projects to see an increased role on offense, but has yet to prove he’s capable of being anything other than a complementary player.