Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson avoided suspension by the NFL after his first assault arrest but it appears he won’t be so lucky after his second such arrest and subsequent conviction.

Benson is facing a three-game suspension, pending an appeal, for punching a friend in Austin this summer during the NFL lockout, according to ESPN.com. The often-troubled running back served five days of a 20-day sentence in an Austin jail earlier this month to settle the two assault cases.

A source told ESPN.com that Benson has an appeal hearing Tuesday with the NFL to see if the three-game suspension will stand or be reduced. The source believes Benson has a strong case to win the appeal.

In the meantime, the 28-year-old Benson will be allowed to play in Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers in accordance with the NFL’s appeal guidelines. He has gained 180 yards in the first two weeks of the season after being released early from his 20-day jail sentence on the strength of doing volunteer work and also exhibiting good behavior during his time behind bars.

Benson was called into a meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell following his first arrest punching a bar worker in Austin, but he was not suspended. But less than a year later, Benson was arrested in Austin again, this time for punching a long-time friend.

Contact Terrance Harris at terrancefharris@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @Terranceharris

(Photo: AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)