Tyler Eifert returns to Bengals practice; Russell Bodine on rehab field

The Bengals got some great news on Wednesday as Tyler Eifert returned to practice.

Eifert has not practiced for the last two weeks after experiencing a back injury during a practice on the Monday before the Cowboys game; that practice was closed to the media. Prior to that setback and new injury, it seemed Eifert was very close to returning from the ankle injury that occurred during January’s Pro Bowl.

It’s likely Eifert will be limited today in his first practice back, but if he gets in a full practice tomorrow, it’s possible he could play (at least a few snaps) on Sunday when the Bengals face the Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. Still, that is no certainty at this point.

The Bengals had a surprising group of players not practicing, which included Clint Boling, Pat Sims and Domata Peko. None of those players have known injuries, but it’s possible Sims and Peko were getting veteran’s rest days. One player we know for certain was getting a rest day is Andrew Whitworth, who also didn’t practice on Wednesday.

Also not practicing was Russell Bodine who injured his ankle in the Bengals’ loss to the Patriots on Sunday. He was in a walking boot earlier this week, but, was seen without it this morning in the locker room. Bodine was on the rehab field today, which is a good sign that his injury shouldn’t prevent him from playing for too long. If Bodine is out on Sunday, it’s likely that T.J. Johnson will start in his place.

Also on the rehab field today were William Jackson III, Cedric Peerman and Brandon Thompson. Thompson is on the PUP list and though he is eligible to return to practice and would be eligible to join the 53-man roster this week, it seems unlikely that the team will make a move with him that soon.