The timing of Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson’s latest arrest couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Benson was arrested early Sunday morning on assault charges on a former male roommate in Austin, Texas. This is the second straight year he has gotten into trouble in Texas, and this arrest could be the most damaging.

With the NFL lockout likely to end at some point this week, the Bengals 28-year-old will be a free agent and could command big dollars as teams scramble to add players. The Bengals are expected to be at the front of the line after Benson posted back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing campaigns the last two seasons.

But the arrest and the uncertainty of whether he could face suspension by commissioner Roger Goodell for his latest arrest will likely hurt his stock with some teams. Benson didn’t face suspension last season for his arrest after a confrontation at a bar. But that will likely be different this time around if Benson is found guilty.

Neither the NFL nor the Bengals had any comment on Benson’s latest run-in with the law. That will likely change once the lockout ends and teams and the league can conduct business, as usual.

(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)