Jake Fisher recovering well; targeting Week 1 return

The Bengals continue to get good news on the injury front.

Following Sunday's return of Brandon LaFell and Zach Hocker to the practice field, it now looks like Jake Fisher is close to returning as well. During Monday's open locker room session with the media, Fisher was spotted walking around with a brace on his right knee and ankle and says he plans to be ready for Week 1.

Fisher suffered his injury in the first half of last Thursday's preseason win over Detroit. The play happened in the first quarter following a pass play, in which Fisher got rolled up on. He had to be carted back to the locker room as it appeared the injury was very serious.

However, head coach Marvin Lewis said after the game that Fisher's injury was merely an ankle sprain. Then on Sunday, Lewis said Fisher was "fine" during the team's practice in Dayton. All of this would seem to indicate Fisher will be back on the field soon.

Even if it isn't Week 1, Fisher missing just a game or two still feels like a win as bad as his injury initially looked. Originally a second-round pick by way of Oregon in the 2015 NFL Draft, Fisher played all over the Bengals offense as a rookie, including snaps at tight end and fullback/h-back, though he worked mostly at tackle

This offseason, Fisher increased his workload by getting reps at guard and center, but all along, the expectation was for him to be the backup left tackle behind Andrew Whitworth.

However, an injury to Cedric Ogbuehi forced Fisher to be the starting right tackle since the first preseason game. That could be a job he battles for into the regular season if he's able to return by Week 1.

Ogbuehi was seen in the locker room this morning as well, but the status of his toe injury is unknown. Lewis said last week he expects Ogbuehi to be back in time for the regular-season opener.