Tyler Eifert Injury: Updates on Bengals TE's Ankle, Back and Return

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert underwent surgery on his ankle in May and suffered a back injury on Oct. 5. However, he is ready to make his regular-season debut.

Continue for updates.

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Eifert Active vs. Browns

Sunday, Oct. 23

The Bengals announced that Eifert is available to play against Cleveland in Week 7.

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Eifert Comments on Injury

Thursday, Oct. 20

Eifert said he was 100 percent before the setback, and he feels great, per Jay Morrison of Cox Media Group. Eifert indicated that, in his mind, he is ready, per Morrison.

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Latest on Eifert's Practice Status

Thursday, Oct. 20

Morrison reported Eifert practiced on Thursday. According to Geoff Hobson of the team's official website, it is the first time he has been a full participant in practice since the Pro Bowl.

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Eifert Suffers New Injury

Wednesday, Oct. 5

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported Eifert suffered a new injury during Monday's practice and was being evaluated. Bob Holtzman of ESPN.com stated it's a back injury.

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Eifert Placed on PUP List

Tuesday, July 26

ESPN's Coley Harvey reported that Eifert is one of three players the Bengals placed on the active/PUP list.

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Tobin Comments on Eifert Missing Games

Monday, July 11

Duke Tobin, the Bengals' director of player personnel, said the team's receiving corps is "a position group that's in flux, and it's a position group that's going to have to step up—particularly with Eifert out early in the year," per Dan Hoard of the team's official website.

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Eifert's Surgery Date Revealed

Wednesday, May 25

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Eifert underwent "minor" surgery, which was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson, "to repair a loose ligament on the side of his foot."

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Eifert Needs to Be Healthy for Bengals' Playoff Push

Eifert earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl in 2015 after catching 52 passes for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns. It was quite the honor, but much to the Bengals' dismay, he left the contest in a walking boot.

On Feb. 2, Harvey revealed that the Bengals planned on having Eifert back for team activities in April. The thought at the time was the 26-year-old would only need rest to heal his injured ankle. Instead, Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Eifert wasn't progressing as expected and would need to go under the knife. Eifert was expected to need three months to recover from the procedure.

Injuries have dogged the former first-round pick throughout his brief NFL career. He dislocated his elbow in Week 1 of the 2014 season and then had shoulder surgery in December 2014, which ruled him out for the rest of the campaign. In 2015, he picked up a neck stinger in addition to a concussion that caused him to miss time late in the year.

With Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu gone from last year's team, the Bengals need Eifert to play an even bigger role in the passing game in 2016. Cincinnati signed Brandon LaFell and selected Tyler Boyd in the draft to fill the voids Jones and Sanu's departures left, but Eifert is bound to see more targets given his rapport with quarterback Andy Dalton.