Vontaze Burfict

Bengals cautious, but hopeful for Vontaze Burfict's return

Published Aug. 27, 2015 1:10 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Cincinnati Bengals are taking it very slow with linebacker Vontaze Burfict as he recovers from offseason microfracture knee surgery.

Burfict is chomping at the bit to get back on the practice field, according to defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, but the Bengals are taking a conservative approach. Plus, once Burfict takes the practice field, he's no longer eligible for the physically-unable-to-perform list, meaning the team would have to carry him on the 53-man roster even if he's not ready to return.

"He’s progressing fast. He’s working his butt off," Guenther said after Wednesday’s practice per the team's official website. "I saw him over there in individuals and he wanted to hop in there (in team). I told him ‘No, No.’ There’s a certain protocol we have to follow. It’s a step-by-step process and once he passes the protocol and the trainers say we can ease him in there, we’ll welcome him with open arms."

It's unlikely that Burfict would play in Sunday's third preseason game against the Bears, and the final preseason contest is usually saved for backups to make one last case for a roster spot.

If Burfict isn't activated off the PUP list before the season opener, he'll have to sit out the team's first six games, which Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham says is a certainty.

h/t: Cincinnati Bengals

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Vontaze Burfict

Cincinnati Bengals

National Football League