Andre Smith injury update heading into Bengals OTAs

While all of the talk Monday was centered around Andrew Whitworth, it was easy to forget about the Bengals other starting tackle.

Andre Smith continues to rehab from his torn triceps muscle last year, which caused hi to miss the final five games of the regular season, as well as the playoff loss to the Colts. In games Smith didn't start last year, Cincinnati went 3-4, including the playoffs.

He's expected to return to his full-time right tackle spot this year before becoming a free agent in 2016. On Monday, he updated his injury status, via Paul Dehner of the Cincinnati Enquirer:

"Arm's getting really good," he said Monday. "Actually did some push-ups today, so that was really good. First time doing push-ups since I had surgery so I was really excited. That was cool."

He did say he will miss organized team activities as he continues to rehab however.

"My condition is fine, that's not an issue," he said. "Condition is great. I'm good. I'm just waiting to get cleared on my arm."

Even as he's recovering, all indications are that Smith is having a great offseason that's put him in the best shape of his professional career. There's a reason the Bengals spent their first two draft picks on offensive lineman: They expect Smith to have a big year and command a big contract next offseason that they probably can't afford to pay him.

With A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, George Iloka, Reggie Nelson, Kevin Zeitler, Leon Hall and Whitworth all needing extensions done to stay on the team past this year, there's going to be sacrifices made. Smith could be one of those sacrifices.