CINCINNATI — Larry Johnson’s gift has lost some of its luster.

The running back will get his wish on Sunday and get on the field against the Kansas City Chiefs, the team that let him go last month. He probably won’t get too many chances to rub it in.
Johnson is likely to get only a few carries in the Cincinnati Bengals’ run-oriented offense, just enough time to say hello and remind the Chiefs that he’s still around.
“A lot of those guys I haven’t seen in six or seven weeks,” Johnson said Wednesday. “It will be great to get out there and play for real. It will just be great to bang around against those guys once again and get our shared memories. It will be fun for me to see those guys again.”
Fun? Really?
Johnson sounded more acrimonious when he signed with Cincinnati on Nov. 17, noting that the teams would be playing in December and he’d love to be on the field for it.
“If that happens, it’d be the best Christmas gift I can get,” Johnson said at the time.
The 30-year-old running back showed everyone that he still has something left when he picked up 107 yards in a 16-7 win over Cleveland on Nov. 29, filling in while Cedric Benson was out with a hip injury. Benson returned and started the last three games, limiting Johnson to nine carries during that span.
The reduced role seems to have taken some of the excitement out of the game for Johnson.
“If I was going to be the guy like I was against Cleveland, then yeah, I’d be a little more pumped for this one,” Johnson said. “But right now, what’s going on with this team is bigger than me versus the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s basically us trying to put ourselves in a great position to get to the playoffs and hopefully get to the Super Bowl.”
The Bengals (9-5) moved to within one victory of winning the AFC North title, then stalled. They’ve lost road games against Minnesota and San Diego, preventing them from securing the division title. They can do that win a win over the Chiefs (3-11) or a Baltimore loss in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
It would seem to be a good opportunity for whoever carries the ball. Kansas City has the second-worst run defense in the league, and allowed Jerome Harrison to run for a Cleveland-record 286 yards in the Browns’ 41-34 victory on Sunday.
Although Johnson would love the chance to get a lot of carries on Sunday, he didn’t lobby for more time. Quarterback Carson Palmer appreciates the way he has accepted his limited role.
“He’s been patient with his opportunities,” Palmer said. “When he’s been called on, he’s been effective. He’s had his mind in the right place and his focus on the right place, and it’s been difficult on him because he’s not used to playing that role. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been on him, but he’s played that role terrific.”
As long as Benson stays healthy, Johnson isn’t likely to get many carries in Cincinnati. He’s signed through the end of the season, and doubts the Bengals will have an interest in keeping him around because they have Benson.
“I’m just trying to get my career back on track and kind of demonstrate I’m more than a team and locker room guy and I can do more than what people expected,” Johnson said.
The Chiefs released him as he was set to return from a suspension for his latest off-field problems. Johnson posted a gay slur on his Twitter account, insulted followers and questioned the competence of head coach Todd Haley.
Asked whether he has patched things up with Haley, Johnson said, “No.”
Haley has an idea of what’s going to be on Johnson’s mind this week.
“I know Larry and when he’s had the opportunity to run the ball there, he’s done a very good job and performed at a high level,” Haley said. “Knowing Larry, I know he’ll be up for this game and I would expect nothing less.”
Since Johnson left Kansas City, his backup has taken advantage of the job opening. Jamaal Charles has scored in each of the last six games, averaging 101 yards rushing. The third-round draft pick from 2008 had a career-high 154 yards against Cleveland on Sunday.
Charles, who was one of Johnson’s friends on the Chiefs, thinks the game will mean more to Johnson than he’s letting on.
“It’s a big deal to him,” Charles said. “I think more like revenge.”