Cedric

Benson

It’s looking more likely that Benson will miss Chicago’s first three preseason games at least. Since they play this weekend, they have five on the schedule.

Neither he nor Ronnie Brown look particularly close to getting into training camp.

With only five full practices until the third preseason game next Saturday at Indianapolis, it’s doubtful the rookie could play in that game. With only two exhibitions before the opener on Sept. 11, Thomas Jones is looking more and more like the favorite to start.

''We really haven’t had any progress,’' general manager Jerry Angelo said. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported otherwise on Monday.

This comes after a Sun-Times report thought Benson may miss the entire month this morning. We’ll see what happens, but reporting now would at least give Benson a fighting chance to start by week one.

''It’s important to get Cedric in,’' coach Lovie Smith said. ''It was important [when camp opened]. We’re running out of time. We need to get Cedric in as soon as possible.’'

Any chance Benson had of starting Week 1 is pretty much gone at this point.

''At this point the only contract discussions that will be entertained will be reflective of the considerable loss of value to the club created by the player’s extended absence,’' Gm Jerry Angelo said in a prepared statement. Fantasy owners should consider the possibility, however slight, that Benson’s holdout could last until the season starts.

“Benson is hoping to maybe land with the Oakland Raiders,” Clayton said. "... There’s an opening there and he’s hoping to fill it.” The “opening” Clayton is referring to was created by Michael Bush’s departure. Benson makes some sense as a power back behind Darren McFadden, but he’ll have to settle for the veteran’s minimum in order to latch on in Oakland. Unfortunately, per Clayton, Benson has received “no phone calls so far this week.”

According to beat writer Steve Corkran, the Raiders are happy with their running back trio of Darren McFadden, Taiwan Jones and Mike Goodson. Corkran does allow that Benson could become an option if one of the Raiders’ three backs goes down with injury, but Benson is surely hoping to find a new home before camp. He hasn’t made any visits.