In an audible from what was announced on Monday, Bengals running back Cedric Benson is not waiting until the bye week to serve his jail sentence for a 2010 assault charge in Austin. According to his attorney, Sam Bassett, Benson surrendered himself to the Travis County Jail late Tuesday evening.
According to jail records, Benson was booked into the facility at 11 p.m. CT. On Monday, Benson pleaded no contest to assault and sentenced to 20 days in a plea bargain. Per Travis County Jail policy, Benson is credited for serving Tuesday because he showed up before midnight.
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Attorneys for both sides said that credit for good behavior, Benson would serve seven days. That means he would be released either late Monday or the morning of Sept. 6. That means he would miss Monday's practice but would be back by next Wednesday when preparations for the Sept. 11 opener at Cleveland really ramp up.
Earlier Tuesday, head coach Marvin Lewis said that Benson would not play in Thursday's preseason finale against Indianapolis because he had missed all the practices.
Said Lewis about Benson's case: "Ced I'm sure is relieved this is behind him and just moves forward."
Benson originally was going to return to Austin on Oct. 17, which was the day after the Bengals Week 6 game against Indianapolis and the start of the team's bye week.
The statement from Bassett follows:
"Cedric Benson surrendered himself to the Travis County Jail this evening to serve his jail sentence for the 2010 Assault charge to which he entered a plea of no contest. Cedric is happy the July 2011 case has been dismissed.
"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."
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