Marvin Lewis updates Marvin Jones, Tyler Eifert, Vontaze Burfict recovery statuses

The Bengals are heading into the offseason with three of their best young players recovering from season-ending injuries.

Linebacker Vontaze Burfict is recovering from microfracture surgery, that has his status for the start of the 2015 season in question. Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, head coach Marvin Lewis said Burfict was facing an uphill climb to get back on the field.

Vontaze is working his tail off in rehab and it’s an important offseason for the Cincinnati Bengals anVontaze Burfict together. He’s one of our dynamic players. He’s a dynamic leader. We’re a better team with Vontaze on the field.

So we hope to get him back full speed and healthy as quick as we can. It’s important. He knows the importance of it for us, for him, for his career.

Tight end Tyler Eifert is also facing a lengthy rehab after dislocating his elbow and later having shoulder surgery this past season. He's not expected to be out as long as Burfict though, and Lewis is happy with how much Eifert has progressed.

Tyler’s development was a little bit retarded this year because he was injured nine plays into the season. He’s doing well. It’s important we get Tyler back and productive in his third season for us.

Wide receiver Marvin Jones didn't play a snap of football in 2014 after foot and ankle injuries caused him to miss the entire season. Lewis said he was pleased with how far Jones is in his rehabilitation; his return in 2015 will be for a contract year.

He’s fine, healthy, he’s ready to go. He’s got a lot of prove. That’s an exciting time for us. He’s a young player with a lot of ability and a lot to prove and a lot on the line. I like guys with a lot on the line.

If all three can make it back in time for the start of the 2015 season, it will be a tremendous boost to a Bengals teams that managed to make the playoff in 2014 without them for most of the year.