A.J. Green seen running on rehab field

While he may not be close to 100%, Bengals’ wide receiver A.J. Green is certainly improving.

After a 6-8 week timeframe on an ankle injury sustained prior to the preseason’s commencement, Green may be on track to return following the Bengals road trip to Buffalo. The initial hope was that Green would return for Week 3.

However, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Tyler Dragon, Green has been seen without a notable limp.

Per another report from ESPN’s Angelo Carriero, Green seemed pain-free while in the locker room on Sunday’s embarrassing defeat in their home opener.

This is exciting news for the Bengals, who have already had a few setbacks on Green’s anticipated return. And, while they desperately need him as a threat, the Bengals certainly won’t be rushing back their star receiver.

Now 31, Green has missed substantial time over the last twelve months. That said, the Bengals would rather drop a mid-September game then rush Green back to re-injury his lower half.

However, it may be Green trying to work his way back to the field. After all, the seven-time Pro Bowl receiver could miss out on a large payday if he doesn’t return and produce in the next few weeks.

Green missed the Pro Bowl for the first time last season after missing a career-high seven games. Missing those games also forced Green to notch under 700 yards for the first time in his illustrious eight-year career.

Green has been Cincinnati’s go-to threat for almost a decade, and their offense has certainly missed him. Outside of a garbage-time 66-yard touchdown reception by John Ross III, the Bengals put up just 10 points, allowing over 40, almost double Seattle’s total from Week 1.

There’s many things this team is dealing with on either side of the ball, and for the offense, the return of A.J. Green could solve many of them.