Vontaze Burfict Injury: Updates on Bengals Star's Recovery from Knee Surgery

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is attempting to come back in time for the 2015 season after requiring microfracture surgery that limited him to just five games last year. 

Continue for updates. 

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Burfict Rehabs During Practice

Tuesday, Aug. 4

Coley Harvey of ESPN noted Burfict's return, the first after he missed the last four practices, before detailing his activity:

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Burfict's public rehab included various drills that tested his agility and explosion off the left knee he hurt against the Ravens in Week 8 of last season. Going to his left to try to make a play on a run, he was blocked low before coming up limping. Although he took a couple of plays off, he returned to finish the drive, assisting in a series of stops on a key early-game goal-line stand. He ended up playing the rest of the game before doctors later discovered he needed cartilage cleaned out of the knee.

Among the drills Burfict took part in with other rehabbing players Monday were short sprints, ladder drills and exercises with bungee cords. In addition to tugging head trainer Nick Cosgray along with the bungee on a sprint, Burfict also did jumps with the bungee cord that worked his lower-body power.

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On July 28, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com that there isn't a timetable for Burfict's return, and on the same day the Bengals announced that he was placed on the Active/PUP list to begin training camp. 

Still, Burfict's return looks imminent, especially after he posted the following video on his Twitter account on Monday:

The Bengals could certainly use him back. Despite going undrafted, Burfict has become one of the league's top linebackers, accumulating 298 tackles, four sacks and four fumble recoveries in his first two seasons. In five games last year, he notched 29 tackles. 

He makes a major impact against the run, and his return will instantly improve Cincinnati's defense. The team will certainly be hoping he can at least participate somewhat in the preseason to help shake off the rust before the regular season begins.