Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson was arrested and charged with assault earlier today, the Austin American Statesmen reports.

Benson's arrest is in connection to an incident last month at Annie's West on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas, where after an altercation with another patron, Benson allegedly spit blood at an employee, and then punched an employee after being escorted out of the bar and refused re-entry.

Benson has already posted bail, and if convicted, faces one year in jail for the Class A misdemeanor.

A first-round pick (4th overall) by the Chicago Bears in 2005, Benson played his college ball at the University of Texas, which is located in Austin. Released by the Bears in June 2008 after being arrested for drunk boating and drunk driving, Benson has played for the Bengals since midway through the 2008 season.

In 60 career games, Benson has gained 3,591 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, while adding 63 receptions for 476 yards as a receiver out of the backfield. Benson has led the Bengals in rushing in each of the last two seasons, and has reportedly been in talks with the Bengals about an extension for a contract that will pay him $2.65 million dollars in base salary this season.