Veteran running back Cedric Benson could be a viable backup option to Raiders starter Darren McFadden.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that Benson, who turns 30 in December, is on the Raiders’ radar.

Benson is likely to come at an affordable price. He had 895 carries the past three seasons with the Bengals, more than Ravens’ starter Ray Rice (852) and Falcons’ workhorse Michael Turner (813).

He’d replace Michael Bush, McFadden’s former backup who left via free agency and signed a four-year deal with the Bears.

But McFadden has missed 16 games in the past three seasons, and the Raiders have only Taiwan Jones and Mike Goodson behind him on the current depth chart. Goodson didn’t have any carries with the Panthers last season.

He was viewed by Carolina as more of a change-of-pace back and return specialist. Jones, a speedster drafted in the fourth round after the Raiders dealt up to get him, had only 16 carries for 73 yards as a rookie in 2011. Jones had the only rushing touchdown for the Raiders in 2011 preseason games, a 22-yard score. — The Sports Xchange via Reuters