By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bengals RB Rudi Johnson moves the ball against Cleveland's Orpheus Roye during the fourth quarter Sunday. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

When you're a backup to one of the NFL's premier running backs, there is little room for ego.

The experience is about learning and then applying that knowledge when needed.

"Even though I haven't played as much, I haven't been wasting my time," Bengals backup running back Rudi Johnson said. "I'm still bettering myself the best way I can so when my chance comes I'll be ready."

With Corey Dillon doubtful to play against the Bills on Sunday because of a nagging groin injury, the Bengals will turn to backups Brandon Bennett and Johnson for assistance.

"I'm going to prepare myself like I always have, no matter what," Johnson said. "When my number is called, I've got to go out and execute my part of the offense."

There are several examples sprinkled about NFL backfields of understudies who have gone on to stardom.

Of the NFL's top 10 rushers entering Week 5, five began their careers as backups.

But what happens when a starting back suffers an injury and a team must immediately turn to its backups for a game or two?

Offenses revise game plans. Opposing teams adjust defensive strategy.

And the results vary.

"Any time you're one-dimensional, you're able to tee off in the pass rush," Bills coach Gregg Williams said during his Monday news conference. "You want to make sure you take pressure off that pass game by running the football."

The Bengals were one of a handful of teams that played all or part of their games Sunday minus their featured running back.

When the Browns spotted Dillon on the sideline in the second half Sunday, they focused more on controlling the Bengals' pass offense.

"That was all right, because we had a lead," Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna said. "We just ran the clock out, wore them out a little bit with the running game and underneath stuff.

"We'll see more Cover 2 (pass defense). That's fine with us. That just creates more space for our running game."

In what amounted to a career day, Johnson gained a team-high 51 yards on 15 carries. Bennett rushed five times for 7 yards.

"We'll pick our shots and pick the personnel and the things inside the personnel that we think both can excel at and do well," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said.

The Broncos, Colts, Lions, Bills and Rams were in similar situations Sunday.

Only the Colts, who were without Edgerrin James, and the Rams, who will be without Marshall Faulk for three to five more weeks, experienced some measure of success.

Faulk's backups - Lamar Gordon and rookie Arlen Harris - combined to rush for 128 yards and one touchdown on 33 carries in a 37-13 win against the Cardinals.

Indianapolis turned to a running back-by-committee approach in a 55-21 win against the Saints on Sunday.

Ricky Williams, James Mungro and Dominic Rhodes filled in for James and carried the ball 25 times for 100 yards.

"You saw what kind of depth we've got," Rhodes told the Indianapolis Star afterward. "Anybody can come in and make plays. That's what we're all about."

Johnson and Bennett have played in 72 career games, with Bennett starting two of those.

On Sunday, they and fullback Jeremi Johnson will face a Bills defense that ranks 25th in the NFL in rushing defense.

Buffalo has allowed 135.8 yards rushing per game.

"We've got some good backs over here and all the way down the line," Johnson said. "Our running backs are confident in each other that whoever is in there can get it done."

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Information from other news organizations and team Web sites was used in this report.

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