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By Joe Kay, Associated Press 7:32 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2009

CINCINNATI — Even if Cedric Benson is able to play Sunday, Nov. 29, against Cleveland, he’s going to have a lot of company in the Cincinnati Bengals’ running game.

Benson returned to practice Wednesday  going through a limited workout because of his sprained hip muscles. The injury kept him out of a 20-17 loss at Oakland.

Coach Marvin Lewis said Benson is “very close” and might be able to play against the Browns, a team he ran over last year. Benson had a career-high 38 carries for 171 yards in a 14-0 win in Cleveland last December in a zero wind chill.

Rookie backup Bernard Scott is expected to get a lot of carries against Cleveland, even if Benson is able to play. Larry Johnson also could see more time in his second game since he signed with Cincinnati.

Scott, a sixth-round draft pick from Abilene Christian, has emerged in the last two games. He returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown during an 18-12 win in Pittsburgh. He also kept the running game going after Benson hurt his hip during the game, carrying 13 times for 33 yards.

In Oakland, he ran 21 times for 119 yards. The 21 carries were only eight shy of his total for the first nine games.

“Bernard has earned an opportunity to continue to play,” Lewis said. “He’ll have a chance, and he’ll get some opportunities one way or the other. If Ced is back and playing, Bernard will still play a considerable amount.”

The Bengals (7-3) lead the AFC North by a game over Pittsburgh and will be trying to run the table in division games when they play Cleveland. Cincinnati is 5-0, with series sweeps of the Steelers and Ravens. The Bengals won an overtime game Oct. 4 in Cleveland.

The Browns (1-9) have committed to stopping Chad Ochocinco and the rest of the Bengals receivers in the past.

“This is one of the few weeks I’m begging for us to run the ball,” Ochocinco said. “Once we get to the postseason — we will be there — the key is to run the ball. That’s why I’m all for it right now.”