Benson heads running repairs

Benson: Hip injury

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Cedric Benson is a major doubt for the high-flying Cincinnati Bengals as one of a number of high-profile running backs struggling for fitness ahead of Week 11 of the NFL.

Benson has been brilliant for the Bengals this season but a hip injury looks like keeping him out of Sunday's games against the Oakland Raiders, meaning there could be another chance for newly-acquired Larry Johnson.

Washington's Clinton Portis, Atlanta's Michael Turner and New Orleans' Reggie Bush are three other big-name rushers who face a race against time to make this weekend's NFL games.

Benson has been leading the Bengals this season with a remarkable up-turn in form helping them to a surprising 7-2 start, but he seems likely to miss his first game of the season on Sunday.

The former Chicago Bear was forced out of last week's win in Pittsburgh with a hip injury and it has also forced him to miss practice and team officials think he will probably miss out on Sunday.

Scott start

Back-up Bernard Scott will likely get the start in place of Benson, but the newly-acquired Johnson has been getting some work in practice and could be given a chance soon after his arrival from Kansas City.

Given that the Bengals face a lowly Oakland Raiders side, coach Marv Lewis may decide not to take any risks with Benson and save him for bigger tests to come.

Bush had his best game of the season for the unbeaten Saints last week as he scored two touchdowns and gained 98 total yards to help move New Orleans on to 9-0 for the season.

Bush has largely been quiet during this campaign but has been a growing influence on the team, but a swollen knee has kept him out of practice and he is a doubt for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay.

The fourth-year pro is experiencing problems in the same knee he had surgery on a year ago to repair his cartilage, so he will undergo tests to see the extent of the problem.

Portis out

Washington will definitely play without Portis for the second straight game as he continues to recover from concussion - Ladell Betts will start again after his fine return of 114 yards and a score against Denver last Sunday.

Atlanta's Michael Turner has been cranking into top gear in recent weeks with 428 yards rushing and three TDs in his last three games, but an ankle injury knocked him out of the defeat against Carolina.

Turner should be ruled out of the trip to New York to face the Giants and, with back-up Jerious Norwood also struggling with a hip problem, Jason Snelling could be the starter for the Falcons.

Brian Westbrook continues to be out indefinitely while his concussion is being monitored. The Philadelphia Eagle suffered a second concussion in three weeks on Sunday and he will be out until appropriate tests can be completed.