By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals put their backfield in motion late this afternoon by making four personnel changes.

The Bengals released fullback Chris Edmonds, the preseason starter, from the 53-man roster. They also let go of former UC star Ray Jackson from the practice squad.

The Bengals signed former Washington Redskin tailback Kenny Watson to a two-year contract to take Edmonds' spot on the roster. Watson is a second-year pro from Penn State who rushed for 534 yards and one touchdown last season, when Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was the Redskins defensive coordinator.

Released during final roster cuts Sept. 1, Watson also caught 32 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown for Washington in 2002. He had 23 kickoff returns for another 496 yards. He made four starts at tailback.

Watson is 5-feet-11, 218 pounds and was signed by the Redskins as an undrafted rookie free agent in April 2001. He should provide immediate help in the backfield, where Corey Dillon is likely to miss his first game Sunday at Buffalo after 52 consecutive starts. Dillon aggravated a groin strain Sunday at Cleveland after injuring it the week before.

Rudi Johnson ran 15 times against the Browns for 51 yards and could get the bulk of the carries against the Bills, who are ranked No. 31 against the rush. Brandon Bennett also is available to play tailback.

The Bengals also signed rookie free agent James Lynch, a 276-pound fullback from Maryland, to the practice squad. He had two receptions for 13 yards for the Vikings in the preseason. He made the active roster, was inactive for the opener before being waived Sept. 9.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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