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Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Jayson DiManche was medically cleared "six weeks ago, and has no restrictions" on his offseason workouts, according to Jim Owczarski (aka, the new guy) with the Cincinnati Enquirer. DiManche suffered a forearm fracture during Cincinnati's 14-13 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 30 and was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve the following day.
"I feel stronger than before I broke it – I think that metal piece in there has given it a little bit of stability," DiManche said via the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I'm good. I'm ready to go physically. Having my season cut short last year … even though it's much longer than the college season, having it cut short and having to watch the guys the last three or four games play out there without me was really frustrating. Ever since then I've been waiting for that time to get my helmet on and get back on the field, even if it's non-contact stuff. I'm just excited to be out there."
The second-year player out of Southern Illinois finished 2014 with seven tackles on defense and three on special teams. He's also credited with a forced fumble on special teams. Pro Football Focus gave DiManche a -4.0 on kickoffs this season and a +1.5 on punts.
DiManche made his first-career start this season when he replaced the injured Emmanuel Lamur against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 19. DiManche finished second on the team with 12 special teams tackles in 2013. During Cincinnati's win over the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 17, 2013, he blocked a punt that teammate Tony Dye returned for a touchdown.