CINCINNATI ( WXIX /Gray News) - Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson has died, the team confirmed in a post on X Tuesday.

He was 45.

TMZ was first to report Johnson’s death, citing a family source.

The former Pro-Bowl running back’s cause of death was not released, but TMZ said they were told “Johnson had been recently struggling with mental health issues and the possible effects of CTE that he could not overcome.”

The Bengals drafted Johnson in the 4th Round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Auburn.

He spent seven seasons in Cincinnati and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2004.

Johnson rushed for 1,458 yards in 2005. That number still stands as the Bengals’ single-season rushing record to this day.

Bengals president Mike Brown issued a statement Tuesday, expressing hi

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