Arkansas Bengal Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Injured Vontaze Burfict still has 'a long ways to go' for Bengals CINCINNATI -- It came as little surprise Tuesday seeing Vontaze Burfict open the Cincinnati Bengals' organized team activities (OTA) practices on a side field and without a helmet. Still overcoming a knee injury that required microfracture surgery in January, Burfict has been in rehab for more than five months. At the time, doctors expressed little optimism that he would be able to do much by the time training camp started in July. That still appears to be the case. "Vontaze will be in rehab all the way through the summer," coach Marvin Lewis said. "So he's got a long ways to go." Asked if that meant Burfict could miss the start of training camp, Lewis coyly responded by saying the prolific tackler would be back once he was cleared medically. "It's like Marvin Jones," Lewis said, referring to the Bengals receiver who also missed Tuesday's practice after being hurt the past year. "When they get here and prove that they're ready, then they'll prove that they're ready." Unlike Burfict, Jones said Tuesday he was close to returning. Burfict looked anything but close to returning during the 10 minutes of conditioning he endured while reporters were present. He walked with a hobble and generally looked uncomfortable after he ran. "That's a surgery that takes a bit," Lewis said. "He's trying to beat the odds and [recover] quicker, but he's got a lot of work to do." Burfict only played in parts of five games last season before getting lost for the year with a knee injury. It occurred in Week 8 against Baltimore when Burfict was trying to avoid a low block. He came off for a couple of plays and then went back out on the field to assist Cincinnati's defense in a dramatic goal-line stand in the opening half of the AFC North contest. Along with the knee issue, Burfict missed parts of other games due to head and neck injuries. The 2013 Pro Bowler had only 29 tackles last season after leading the league with 171 stops the year before. http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/17346/bengals-vontaze-burfict-marvin-lewis-injured-ways-to-go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|Elflocko| Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't play this year. It sucks, but I'm pragmatic, so sue me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalBacker Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 I just hope he can play again, whenever it might be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Then, if & when he's cleared to practice, we'll see what happens when he makes a tackle. I'm not optimistic. Nor do I see "optimism" listed at linebacker on the Bengals depth chart. Hopefully we don't do that thing where we run out some lost-a-step middlin-average vet all year just to keep the seat warm on the off chance our guy does make it back, but we kinda have a history there.. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiliMVP Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 He'll be on the PUP at least Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredtoast Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Hopefully we don't do that thing where we run out some lost-a-step middlin-average vet all year just to keep the seat warm on the off chance our guy does make it back, but we kinda have a history there.. . And it worked out great with Terrence Newman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 And it worked out great with Terrence Newman. Hey good point, in that case let's sign every 35 year old free agent we can find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky151 Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 We need pass rushers, Dwight Freeney and John Abraham were available this off season. If gray hair is a requirement. :ninja: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyrid Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Not a real encouraging report. Still over 3 months until the season starts though, so we'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SF2| Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Not a real encouraging report. Still over 3 months until the season starts though, so we'll see. The reality is this is pretty much on schedule. I think it was very optimistic he would be able to go in early September. Late October or early Nov seemed like the actual timeline just to get his leg strengthened up. He hasn't worked out his leg at all as per the recovery protocol of such a procedure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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