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The Bengals were back on the field Wednesday for the first of three pre-Seahawks practice sessions.
Sitting at 4-0 and hosting the two-time defending NFC champs, Cincinnati is in as good of a spot after the first quarter of the season as they've ever been when coached by Marvin Lewis. A big reason why is health.
Some reports have surfaced saying George Iloka returned to the field on Wednesday, while others say he sat out. The Bengals will release an official injury report later, which will clarify, but it's possible he was limited in today's session. Iloka sat out of Sunday's win over the Chiefs due to a lingering ankle injury. The fact that he may have already been back for the first session this week would be a great sign he'll play Sunday against Seattle. If he was limited in today's practice, there's also reason to be hopeful. Iloka told reporters prior to practice that barring setbacks, he plans to play Sunday.
Iloka back, Whitworth, Adam Jones not working
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) October 7, 2015
On another postcard Wednesday in Cincy, the Bengals open a week of practices. Adam Jones,... http://t.co/icHfPk4bGQ pic.twitter.com/gOYKBRkKHz
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) October 7, 2015
George Iloka returns to practice. Didn’t play Sunday vs Chiefs.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 7, 2015
Andrew Whitworth received his typical Wednesday veteran's rest day. Another vet sitting out was cornerback Adam Jones, which is likely due to a groin injury which limited him to just 37 snaps (49%) on Sunday. He also had an elbow injury in Week 3 against the Ravens, which he played through.
One other notable absentee was defensive end Wallace Gilberry. He spent time on the rehab field and exercise bike with an unknown injury.
Gilberry goes from rehab field to the bike. To quote Marv: we'll see
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) October 7, 2015
Gilberry was dealing with a thigh injury in Week 3 before the Bengals took on the Ravens, but wasn't listed on last week's injury report. If he were to miss this week, that could lead Marcus Hardison getting his first gameday action. The fourth-round rookie has been inactive in all four games thus far, but can double as a defensive tackle and end in the same manner as Cincinnati uses Gilberry.
Vontaze Burfict and Cedric Ogbuehi are both not allowed to practice until at least the bye week, but each were on the rehab field today putting in some work there. Burfict is on the Physically Unable to Perform list and can be cleared following the Bengals' game in Buffalo in Week 6. The soonest he can play is Week 8 in Pittsburgh as the Bengals have a Week 7 bye. Ogbuehi is on the Non-Football Injury list and also could be activated following Week 6. Time will tell how each of their injuries and designations with the team play out.