AUSTIN, Texas — Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson has begun serving a 20-day jail term in Texas to settle two misdemeanor assault cases. The former University of Texas star was sentenced Monday in Austin and had planned to surrender Oct. 17, during Cincinnati’s bye week. Travis County Jail records show Benson was booked late Tuesday. Benson’s jail time could be shortened with possible credit for time served when arrested. The 28-year-old Benson was arrested in 2010 for allegedly punching a bar employee in Austin, an incident that earned him a meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell but resulted in no punishment. He pleaded no contest to a charge of assault with injury in that case. He also was arrested last month for allegedly punching a former roommate in downtown Austin. He pleaded no contest to a charge of assault with bodily injury with family violence, and that will be dismissed if he performs 30 hours of community service and pays an undisclosed amount of restitution to the victim. Benson was Chicago’s first-round pick in 2005. He had two alcohol-related arrests with the Bears, who let him go in 2008. He signed as a free agent with the Bengals and has led them in rushing each of the last three years – 747 yards in 2008, 1,251 yards in 2009 and 1,111 yards in 2010. He was disappointed last season when the Bengals went away from their run-based offense that won them the AFC North title in 2009, then finished 4-12. After the Bengals changed offensive coordinators, Benson lobbied to stay in Cincinnati and signed a one-year deal. He provides a run-first option in coordinator Jay Gruden’s new offense, which is being led by rookie quarterback Andy Dalton. Benson also must pay a $4,000 fine within 30 days.

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CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to a two-year contract extension with left tackle Andrew Whitworth on Wednesday, a deal that runs through the 2015 season. Whitworth was a second-round draft pick in 2006, when he moved into the starting lineup. He emerged as one of the league’s most dependable tackles last season. He was a team captain and assumed a leadership role during the NFL lockout, helping to organize workouts in Cincinnati. Whitworth has started every game each of the last two seasons. He’s the first player the Bengals have extended since the lockout ended.

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Written by The Sports Network TSN Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) – The Cincinnati Bengals signed offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth to a contract extension Wednesday that runs through the 2015 season. Whitworth, 29, is a hulking presence on the Cincinnati line at 6-foot-7 and 335 pounds and hasn’t missed a game in the past two season. In five years since he was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Whitworth has played 74 out of a possible 80 games — including 70 starts. The Bengals did not say how much the contract is worth, but a story on their website said it averaged $10 million. The Sports Network You Might Be Interested In

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson changed his mind and began serving his 20-day jail sentence Tuesday night. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Benson surrendered to the Travis County Jail, one day after pleading no contest to an assault charge in Austin, Texas in 2010. Benson’s original plan was to serve the sentence during the team’s bye week in October. Benson’s sentence is expected to be reduced to seven days with good behavior. By surrendering before midnight Tuesday, he received credit for serving that day. The report said Benson could be released either late Monday or early Tuesday. He will miss practices this week, the team’s final preseason game Thursday and Monday’s practice but should be back in time for next Wednesday’s practice, the first full workout before the season opener vs. Cleveland on Sept. 11. With rookie Andy Dalton likely to start at quarterback, the Bengals will be counting heavily on Benson, who has rushed for more than 1,100 yards each of the last two seasons.

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Published: Aug. 31, 2011 at 3:37 PM The Cincinnati Bengals’ Cedric Benson began serving a jail sentence in Texas for a 2010 assault after surrendering himself to authorities, his attorney said. UPI/David Richard  CINCINNATI, Aug. 31 (UPI) — The Cincinnati Bengals’ Cedric Benson began serving a jail sentence in Texas for a 2010 assault after surrendering himself to authorities, his attorney said. Benson was booked into the Travis County Jail Tuesday morning after pleading no contest Monday to assault . He was sentenced to a 20 days in a plea bargain, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported. With credit for good behavior, the Bengals running back would serve seven days, attorneys said. That means he could rejoin the team Sept. 7 in preparation for the Sept. 11 season opener at Cleveland. “Ced, I’m sure, is relieved this is behind him and just moves forward,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. Benson’s attorney Sam Basset released a statement on his client’s behalf. “Though originally scheduled to serve the jail sentence in October, Cedric decided he needs to complete the jail sentence before the season. This is best for everyone involved. “Mr. Benson is thankful for his supporters in Austin and Cincinnati. He is also grateful to the Bengals organization. Cedric looks forward to working hard on and off the field as soon as he is released,” the statement said.

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