Cedric Benson, who underwent surgery Thursday to repair the fractured leg, could miss out on nearly $4 million in bonuses and escalators in his contract. Had he been more productive earlier in the season, or had he been injured a week later, he likely would have earned a sizable windfall. But by finishing the season with 674 rushing yards, Benson fell 27 shy of triggering a conditional roster bonus worth $1.73 million. While some already have labeled the No. 4 overall pick in 2005 a bust, the king's ransom he has received has been exaggerated. Even if he returns healthy in 2008 and jump-starts a career that looked to be stalling before he was hurt, Benson never will approach the $29.96 million maximum value of his five-year rookie contract. Through this season, Benson will have pocketed almost $13.8 million, a fortune of McCaskey dollars for 1,593 career rushing yards and 10 touchdowns but far less than the amounts that have been published.