Vontaze Burfict Injury: Updates on Bengals LB's Knee and Return

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict will start the season on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

Continue for updates.

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Lewis Comments on Placing Burfict on PUP List

Sunday, Sept. 6

The Bengals confirmed Burfict's status as they announced multiple roster moves Saturday, and head coach Marvin Lewis was quick to speak out about the decision, per ESPN's Cole Harvey: 

"

It was a very difficult decision and one that frankly could have broken either way. Vontaze has done a really good job.

He has worked hard, we know what he means to the football team and it's a difficult thing to do for him.

What it came down to at the end, the best thing for Vontaze's future is to make sure we give him enough time, to not rush him back on the field. That when it's time after six weeks that he's ready to go 100 percent. He's got the cardiovascular done, he's got the rehab done and that he's 100 percent going forward rather than trying to fudge it.

"

Burfict has been making his way back to the playing field after hurting his left knee in Week 8 of the 2014 season against the Baltimore Ravens. He had microfracture surgery in the offseason to help with the recovery and made his way to the field Aug. 3 during training camp, according to Harvey.

In his second year in the NFL in 2013, Burfict had a breakout season with a team-leading 115 tackles while adding three sacks as part of a Bengals defense that ranked sixth in the league.

Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther told Harvey that Burfict "adds a whole element to our defense." When healthy, he's capable of running down the most athletic players by using his 6'1", 250-pound frame to go along with his speed and power.

Weak-side linebacker Vincent Rey will fill in for Burfict, much like he did last season. He is capable of finding his way through the offensive line and into the backfield with solid speed, which helped him record a career-high 66 tackles in 2014. He will have to see an increase in those numbers for the Bengals to have any hope of keeping up with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.