Burfict is almost ready, might face Steelers
CINCINNATI — The sound and fury that Vontaze Burfict brings to the Cincinnati Bengals was easily evident to his teammates and coaches when the Pro Bowl linebacker practiced for the first time this season on Thursday.
“You definitely notice he’s back out there,” quarterback Andy Dalton said, “which is a good thing.”
However, it’s not as clear yet if Burfict, who was sidelined for the past year because of a knee injury, will be ready to play on Sunday when the undefeated Bengals ( 6- 0) meet their AFC North rival Steelers ( 4- 3) in Pittsburgh.
Burfict participated in all aspects of practice and reported no immediate ill effects, but added that he’s not quite 100 percent back from the microfracture surgery that he underwent on his left knee in January.
“If it’s the Super Bowl, I’m playing,” said Burfict, who led the NFL in tackles (171) in 2013 after signing with Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent the previous year.
The Bengals haven’t ruled out the possibility of Burfict playing against Pittsburgh, but they’re going to cautiously monitor him the rest of the week before making a decision. The team could activate him and make a roster move as late as Saturday.
“If he’s ready to do it and he feels like he can do it, then we could use him,” defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. “We’ve got to make sure we make a good decision on him. We’re not hurrying.”
Burfict remains on the reserve/ physically unable to perform list, but he can practice without counting against the 53- player roster limit for up to 21 days.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis wasn’t available to the media on Thursday, but Guenther said he liked what he saw from Burfict in his first practice since last playing against Baltimore on Oct. 26 of last season.
“He looked real good,” Guenther said. “His movement skills were excellent, like he’s never missed any time. He obviously understands the defense. He’s just got to get back into football shape. He moved around real good. We’re real encouraged with what we saw.”
Burfict, who led the Bengals in tackles in 2012 and ’13 before being limited to five games last season, was happy just to be back on the field with his teammates.
“There were some hard days, but I’m here now and looking forward to playing a game,” Burfict said.
Spread the praise
The NFL named Dalton the AFC offensive player of the month for October. He had a quarterback rating of 111.6 and threw for 895 yards ( 298.3 per game) and six touchdowns in three games. He did not throw an interception.
“It shows what this team was able to do,” said Dalton, who leads the NFL with a 116.1 QB rating. “Yeah, I’m the one who won it, but the only reason I won it is because of the other guys here making plays and scoring touchdowns and all the different things they do. The offensive line has been unbelievable. Obviously it’s an honor to get the award, but it’s nothing I did by myself.”