Bengals Bytes: Review of Week 2 of OTA practices

Marvin Jones sprints back into Cincinnati Bengals' WR rotation at OTAs
Marvin Jones, sitting on a stool in front of his corner of the Cincinnati Bengals' locker room, was in the middle of a conversation with a reporter Tuesday afternoon when a team trainer tiptoed toward him. "You're back," the trainer said, interrupting the interview with a big grin plastered on his face as he reached in for a handshake. As he chuckled softly, Jones nodded. "Yep, I'm back," he said.

Bengals' Marvin Jones back making plays
The 25-year-old receiver is finally healthy after a series of foot and ankle injuries last summer resulted in a complete washout of the 2014 campaign. Jones shrugged off any idea that he may be rusty, or that he may not be the same player, as he returns to football for the first time in a year.

Cincinnati Bengals George Iloka, Margus Hunt back when both 'ready'
Asked Tuesday about both players' status for the first time since OTAs began last week, coach Marvin Lewis said the duo "will be out there when [they're] ready." Both players have apparently been recovering from injuries, although it has been unclear what exactly has kept them out of the first four OTA practices. Both players have been around the locker room during media availability periods, but they haven't wanted to talk about what's kept them from practices. Iloka did say last week that his absence had nothing to do with his contract. He is scheduled to be one of 26 players to hit free agency at the end of this season.

Marv on the loose again
Even Jones had a smile that said, so far, the sizzle has survived the knife. Even though he’s been back for a few days and has been full go for about four months. If it wasn’t a smile of relief, it was of at least satisfaction. "I wouldn’t say a relief," Jones said after practice. "Just to know I’m as fast as I was, it’s good feeling because I haven’t really opened it up like that in a long time….It just feels great catching, reading coverages, everything that’s been involved in this whole process to where I am now is great."

Bengals keep dabbling with Rex Burkhead at WR
Burkhead worked with receivers and even caught a slick route over the middle for a long gain during the only practice open to the media during this week of OTAs. Hue Jackson approached Burkhead last year with the idea of slipping over to receiver and sounded determined to find ways to get the 2013 sixth-round pick on the field despite sitting behind Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard on the depth chart.

Bengals' Jake Fisher not wasting time on offensive line
During the rookie mini-camp, he moved between both tackle spots and inside at the guard positions, but in the early part of the OTA period, he has gotten most of his training in at right tackle.

Notes: Why Lewis doesn't like new PAT; Wilder tries FB; Rex dabbles in slot
The backup QBs had their moments. Terrelle Pryor threw a couple of crisp slants across the middle, but he also overthrew by five yards Cobi Hamilton running wide open down the middle. AJ McCarron threw a terrific slant to Brandon Tate on the sideline and also had a nice scramble where he found Burkhead getting past safety Shawn Williams. He also threw a pick when safety Reggie Nelson went underneath Hamilton on the sideline.