Bengals sign Thomas Rawls to shore up backfield depth

The Cincinnati Bengals signed former Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls on Wednesday to shore up their backfield depth with Joe Mixon expected to miss time.

Rawls had joined the New York Jets in the offseason but failed to make the 53-man roster. Running back Tra Carson was waived to make room for Rawls.

Mixon, one of the heroes of Cincinnati's hard-fought victory over AFC North rival Baltimore on Thursday night, had minor knee surgery on Saturday that is expected to keep him out for approximately two weeks.

Mixon was in and out of the game because of the right knee injury. Originally hurt in the first half, he finished with 84 rushing yards on 21 carries and was noticeably limping afterward.

Giovanni Bernard is expected to take over starting duties with Mixon out.

Rawls, signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2015, erupted when filling in for Marshawn Lynch as a rookie. He ran for at least 100 yards four times that season, including a club rookie-record 209 against the 49ers.

His carries decreased in each of the last two seasons, and he was inactive for games last season.