ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Rudi Johnson, who was waived by the Bengals on Saturday, signed with the Lions on Tuesday. He will join rookie Kevin Smith as the featured backs in Detroit’s new run-oriented offense.
“As soon as I finish talking to you guys, I’m going to bury myself in the playbook,” Johnson said after meeting with the media Tuesday. “I want to be able to contribute to this team as soon as possible.”
Johnson rushed for more than 1,400 yards in 2005 and 2006, but was limited to 497 last year. This season, the Bengals will be going with Chris Perry and Kenny Watson as their top runners.
NFL to honor Upshaw at all 16 games
NEW YORK — The NFL will honor the late Gene Upshaw with his initials and his uniform number stenciled on the field for all 16 games this weekend.
The league had announced all NFL players would wear a patch all season with the initials “GU” and the number 63, his former uniform number, to honor the Hall of Fame guard and longtime union leader, who died two weeks ago.
It originally announced they also would be stenciled on the field for the season opener at Giants Stadium between the Redskins and Giants and for the Denver-Oakland game at Oakland, where Upshaw played his entire 15 seasons.
Footnotes.
The Buccaneers traded backup guard Dan Buenning to the Bears for an undisclosed draft pick, then replaced the fourth-year pro by acquiring center-guard Sean Mahan from the Steelers for an undisclosed draft pick in 2009.
• Packers center Scott Wells had a setback with his injured lower back after returning to practice, putting his availability in doubt for the season opener against Minnesota.
• The Raiders released defensive tackle William Joseph to create room on the roster for former Broncos receiver Ashley Lelie.
The Associated Press
