Vontaze Burfict hoping to return for training camp

As the offseason continues, the rehabilitation of Vontaze Burfict remains one of the biggest stories to follow in Cincinnati.

After signing a big extension last summer, Burfict battled concussion and neck issues as well as a subsequent knee injury that ended his season after just five games in 2014. He then underwent microfracture surgery this offseason, and his status for the 2015 season remains up in the air.

Along with tight end Tyler Eifert, offensive tackle Andre Smith and wide receiver Marvin Jones, Burfict continues to rehab his injury as OTAs continue. Geoff Hobson doesn't expect Burfict to be on the field anytime soon, and it will be a close call as to whether he begins 2015 on PUP or not:

The status of WILL backer Vontaze Burfict seems to be up in the air and if you read the tea leaves it’s a tight call whether he’s ready for the season or starts it on PUP. Except for Jones, I doubt we’ll see any of those guys in the May and June stuff.

They’re keeping their fingers crossed and I think it’s going to be close for the opener.

Burfict is back in Cincinnati, continuing his rehab and he even made a public appearance last weekend at the Marvin Lewis Community Fund Golf Classic.

Burfict underwent microfracture surgery earlier this year. The procedure is designed to "correct cartilage damage on the side of his knee," which "involves drilling tiny fractures in bone to develop new cartilage." Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the procedure said earlier this offseason that Burfict should be able to return to his old form and be healthy by training camp.