Cincy Jungle - Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict has concussion and knee scopeWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2015-10-29T10:01:05-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/58824122015-10-29T10:01:05-04:002015-10-29T10:01:05-04:00Burfict making Bengals practice debut
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<p>Vontaze Burfict is set to practice now that he's been cleared by his independent knee specialist. Next, he'll need medical clearance from Bengals doctors.</p> <p><b>Update</b>: It's official, Burfict will begin practicing today:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">NEWS: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> clear LB Vontaze Burfict (<a href="https://twitter.com/King55Tez">@King55Tez</a>) to resume practicing with the team. <a href="https://t.co/xtLnH4yGO1">pic.twitter.com/xtLnH4yGO1</a></p>
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bengals/status/659737203225042944">October 29, 2015</a>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> may be on the verge of making as big of a midseason addition as any NFL team will make.</p>
<p>Pro Bowl linebacker <span>Vontaze Burfict</span> is set to make his 2015 practice debut today when the teams hits the field for their Thursday session, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnfl%2Fbengals%2F2015%2F10%2F29%2Fvontaze-burfict-return-bengals-practice-today%2F74793164%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2015%2F10%2F29%2F9634674%2Fvontaze-burfict-2015-bengals-practice-debut-thursday-per-report" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">according to the Cincinnati Enquirer</a>. This comes after Burfict got a "<a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/10/28/9633000/vontaze-burfict-received-good-evaluation-on-knee-from-california" target="_blank">good evaluation</a>" from specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Wednesday, enough so that the belief was that Burfict was healthy enough to practice, but needed to go-ahead from Cincinnati.</p>
<p>Burfict will still need clearance from the Bengals' medical staff to practice, but it looks like he'll be getting the green light for Thursday's practice. This will be the first documented practice session of any kind for Burfict this season, though he's gotten several sessions of work on the rehab field. It's still not realistic to expect Burfict to play Sunday vs the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>, and next Thursday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> is even a stretch on a short turnaround.</p>
<p>Week 10 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> looks like the best bet for his return date. Whenever Burfict ends up coming back, it is great news that he can finally being practicing with his teammates again. It also means that he will likely return at some point in the coming weeks after undergoing microfracture surgery this offseason, a procedure that can keep athletes out of play for a year.</p>
<p><span>In case you need a refresher, Burfict opened the regular season on the Reserve/PUP list, which </span>prevents players from playing and practicing during the first six weeks of the season. Players also do not count against the 53-man roster when they get this designation. Once activated, the team has a three-week window to make a decision on whether the player will remain on PUP for the rest of the season, be released or be activated to the 53-man roster.</p>
<p>That means if Burfict does in fact practice today as reported, the Bengals will need to make a decision on him by Thursday November 19 on whether to bring him to the 53-man roster or end his season by keeping him on PUP.</p>
<p>If Burfict does join the 53-man roster, another player will need to be released or added to the Injured Reserve list, if they're injured.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/10/29/9634674/vontaze-burfict-2015-bengals-practice-debut-thursday-per-reportJason Marcum2015-10-28T21:05:16-04:002015-10-28T21:05:16-04:00Burfict received "good evaluation" from Cali doc
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<p>Burfict received a positive report from a knee specialist on his recovery from major knee surgery, but he's still unlikely to play this week. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> are as healthy as they've ever been eight weeks into an NFL season, but they're still without one of their best players.</p>
<p>Linebacker <span>Vontaze Burfict</span> has yet to even practice this year after offseason microfracture a surgery in January, which has kept him out of pads for nearly 10 full months. The recovery timetable for that procedure can take as long as a year or even 18 months to fully recover from, but Burfict should be able to play at some point this season.</p>
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<p>Still, the Bengals are playing it safe, and that's why they had Burfict go to California to meet with specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache, according to ESPN's Adam Caplan.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> WLB Vontaze Burfict had a good evaluation of his surgically repaired left knee by Dr. Neal ElAttrache this week.</p>
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) <a href="https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/659527367350702081">October 29, 2015</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Burfict is ready to practice, but it's now up to the team to decide when he'll get on the field.</p>
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) <a href="https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/659527428931481600">October 29, 2015</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">They have been taking the conservative approach with him, which is the best approach for long-term health of the knee.</p>
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) <a href="https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/659527509487296512">October 29, 2015</a>
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<p>As Caplan said, the Bengals are being conservative with Burfict's knee, so don't expect him to play this week in Pittsburgh. He missed Wednesday's practice, and to this point, has only been able to work on the rehab field during training camp and in the regular season as he remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list.</p>
<p>Burfict didn't become eligible to practice until the bye week last week, and he probably needs at least a week's worth of practice to get into game shape and to become conditioned enough that he won't be at a high risk for injury once he returns.</p>
<p>It's possible Pittsburgh was never a realistic option for the Bengals' star linebacker, despite what the team said in the pre-season (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/8/12/9142711/aj-mccarron-injury-shedding-light-on-bengals-misdirection-with">especially since we know the Bengals typically keep quiet about injuries</a>, when they can). With a short week coming to prepare for the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a> on Thursday Night Football in Week 9, Burfict won't even get a full week of preparation next week either.</p>
<p>The Bengals will also need to cut a player to add Burfict to the roster, so they need to be sure he's ready to play if they're going to sacrifice someone else's job.</p>
<p>That means Week 10 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> on Monday Night Football, November 16 is a more a realistic return date for Burfict. That would give him 19 days between the day he had his knee re-examined (today) and kickoff for a primetime return to football. It is possible he plays sooner, but whatever happens, don't get your hopes up on him playing this week. Keep an eye out to see if the Bengals choose to let Burfict practice on Thursday or Friday.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/10/28/9633000/vontaze-burfict-received-good-evaluation-on-knee-from-californiaJason Marcum2015-10-26T16:20:09-04:002015-10-26T16:20:09-04:00Lewis on Burfict: When he's ready, he'll be ready
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<p>Despite being eligible to practice on Monday, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict remains on PUP. Lewis says, "when he's ready, he'll be ready." </p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> head coach <span>Marvin Lewis</span> is making it clear: Linebacker <span>Vontaze Burfict</span> will be ready when he's ready.</p>
<p>"He's done a good job on the rehab, and he continues to be on the rehab until he's not," <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/19720/bengals-vontaze-burfict-marvin-lewis-when-ready">Lewis said prior to Monday's practice</a>. "That's just where we are. There's not a big thing. You guys are making more of it than there really is. <b>When he's ready, he'll be ready. And that's when he'll come back to practice and we'll go from there. Other than that, we're wasting time talking about somebody that's not on the team</b>."</p>
<p>Perhaps you know (and despise) the Marvinism, but idle speculation regarding the rehabilitation of a player is tricky -- especially from afar without any credible updates or an insider offering updates, to develop an informed talking point.</p>
<p>So, we wait.</p>
<p>According to league rules, players on the Physically Unable to Perform list are ineligible to practice until Week 7; Burfict was placed on PUP prior to training camp after spending the offseason rehabilitating from microfracture surgery. Cincinnati conducted a light practice session last week before resuming practice on Monday. Despite being eligible to practice while being surrounded by unsubstantiated optimism, Burfict continued working out with trainers on the rehab field while remaining on PUP and not practicing with his teammates.</p>
<p>When Burfict will be ready is a question of debate. However, the team is on the clock.</p>
<p>Now that Burfict, offensive tackle <span>Cedric Ogbuehi</span> and linebacker <span>Sean Porter</span>, are eligible to practice, the Bengals have another six-week window for each player to begin practicing. If they're <b>unable to practice when this window expires, they remain on the PUP</b> list for the rest of the season (a de facto version of Injured Reserve at this point). This time frame expires on December 1, 2015.</p>
<p><b>If the PUP/NFI list players suit up for an official practice between now and December 1, the Bengals will have 21 days to make a decision</b>: 1) Activate the player to the 53-man roster 2) Release/waive the player or 3) Do nothing and keep the player on the Physically Unable to Perform list. If teams maximize all their windows, a player could be held out and not activated until well into December (like, <span>AJ McCarron</span>, who was activated December 9, 2014).</p>
<p>In addition, the Bengals remains relatively healthy and have a 2.5-game lead over the second place <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>. There is no desperate need to get Burfict involved immediately. With that narrative stored in memory, consider Burfict hasn't had any contact since his Oct. 29 departure against Baltimore -- nearly a full calender year ago.</p>
<p id="paragraph5">Cincinnati's all-star linebacker initially suffered a knee injury on Oct. 29, 2014 during a game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> and underwent arthroscopic surgery soon after. When his knee wasn't responding to rehabilitation, he was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve on December 9 (the same day McCarron was activated), and eventually had microfracture surgery after the season ended.</p>
<p>Burfict was the Bengals' leading tackler in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, he totaled 204 stops, 94 more than the second-place finisher (<span>Rey Maualuga</span>). Burfict earned a roster spot on the Pro Bowl team that year and a second-team mention on the Associated Press All-Pro team. The Bengals signed Burfict to a contract extension (four-year, $19 million with $6.9 million guaranteed) on Aug. 27, 2014 keeping him in Cincinnati through the end of the 2017 season.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/10/26/9617452/marvin-lewis-remains-vague-on-vontaze-burfict-says-when-hes-readyJosh Kirkendall2015-09-05T19:00:01-04:002015-09-05T19:00:01-04:00Burfict to PUP decision could have gone either way
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<p>Burfict will be eligible to return to the Bengals for Week 8 in Pittsburgh.</p> <p>Among the roster moves made by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> on Saturday, was placing <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/9/5/9232087/bengals-put-vontaze-burfict-on-reserve-pup-list" target="_blank">Vontaze Burfict on the Physically Unable to Perform list</a>. Burfict officially will not play or practice for the first six weeks of the season. Since the Bengals have a Week 7 bye, the Week 8 game in Pittsburgh against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> will be Burfict's first opportunity to return to the field with the Bengals. Burfict will need to be medically cleared at that time to play..</p>
<p>After the Bengals announced their 53-man roster, head coach <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnfl%2Fbengals%2F2015%2F09%2F05%2Fbengals-vontaze-burfict--start-year--pup%2F71772922%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2015%2F9%2F5%2F9266217%2Fbengals-decision-to-place-burfict-on-pup-could-have-gone-either-way" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Marvin Lewis talked to the media about the decision</a>:</p>
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<p>"It was a really difficult decision and one, frankly, that could have broke either way," Lewis said Saturday afternoon. "I think really what came down in the end is the best thing for Vontaze's future is for us to make sure we give him enough time and not rush him back on to the field."</p>
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<p>The hope is, having Burfict sit out for the first six weeks of the season will ensure he can get the full conditioning period he needs following January microfracture surgery.</p>
<p>"He's done the rehab part, but he's not been able to progress," Lewis continued. "When it's time, in six weeks, he's ready to go 100 percent. He's got both the football-cardiovascular done, he's got the rehab done and he's 100 percent going forward rather than trying to kind of fudge it in any way. Which is hard, because he has worked hard. We know what he means to the football team. It's a difficult thing to do for him. But we had a candid conversation about it, that this was a hard call but it's one we're going to make right now."</p>
<p>Giving Burfict until November 1 to fully heal will put the timetable at about 10 months from the time of his surgery to the time he gets back on the field. The return from microfracture is different in each person, so what to expect when he does return remains to be seen.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/9/5/9266217/bengals-decision-to-place-burfict-on-pup-could-have-gone-either-wayRebecca Toback2015-09-05T13:28:54-04:002015-09-05T13:28:54-04:00Bengals place Vontaze Burfict on Reserve/PUP list
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<p>We won't be seeing Vontaze Burfict for the first six weeks of the regular season. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a> have moved linebacker <span>Vontaze Burfict</span> from the <span>Active/Physically Unable to Perform list </span>to the Reserve/PUP List. This means that Burfict no longer counts against the Bengals' roster count. It also means Burfict is now guaranteed to miss the first six games of the 2015 NFL season.</p>
<p>In case you need a refresher, the Reserve/PUP list prevents players from playing and practicing during the first six weeks of the season. Players also do not count against the 53-man roster when they get this designation. If the player isn't activated after the sixth week, the team has a three-week window to make a decision: remain on PUP for the rest of the season, release the player, or activate the player. Last season we saw this happen with <span>AJ McCarron</span> who was activated to the team's 53-man roster after opening the regular season with this designation.</p>
<p>After leading the team in tackles in 2012 and 2013, Burfict suffered a knee injury against the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" data-ref-index="13">Baltimore Ravens</a> on October 29, 2014 and underwent arthroscopic surgery soon after. When his knee wasn't responding to rehabilitation, he was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve on December 9, 2014. The Pro Bowl linebacker <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/1/5/7498415/bengals-linebacker-vontaze-burfict-likely-to-have-surgery" data-ref-index="14">contemplated surgery at the end of the season </a>to repair what wasn't fixed in October. <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/1/21/7869519/marvin-lewis-confirms-vontaze-burfict-underwent-surgery" data-ref-index="15">Marvin Lewis confirmed that he went ahead with the procedure</a>, which was later <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/20/8629901/vontaze-burfict-hoping-to-return-for-training-camp">revealed to be microfracture surgery</a>.</p>
<p><span>The recovery time for this procedure is long and can often take up to a year to fully come back from. </span>Burfict's placement on the Reserve/PUP list isn't a surprising move since it appeared all along the Bengals were going to take the conservative route with Burfict's recovery. Had he participated in even one practice in between the start of training camp and the regular-season opener, he would not have been eligible for PUP and would have counted as a player on the Bengals' 53-man roster.</p>
<p>By opening the year on PUP, Burfict is ineligible for the first six games, which include games at Oakland, vs San Diego, at Baltimore, vs Kansas City, vs Seattle, and at Buffalo. Once Burfict does come back, one of those above mentioned players could be cut to make room for him.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/9/5/9232087/bengals-put-vontaze-burfict-on-reserve-pup-listJason Marcum2015-08-31T23:08:42-04:002015-08-31T23:08:42-04:00Bengals need to make a hard decision on Burfict
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<p>"The first month or so of camp, I was just like, 'He's not a factor.' It's just not a part of my thought process," Bengals linebackers coach Matt Burke said via ESPN. "Now as we get closer and we have to make a hard decision on him in the next week. It's tough."</p> <p dir="ltr">Cincinnati's timeline for Vontaze Burfict's recovery is not unlike cloudy skies turning into beautiful sunshine just before mid-afternoon storms saturate the Queen City. Whereas one February afternoon, writers and coaches were expressing optimistic tones, the all-but-certain expectation now is that he'll open the regular season on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"The first month or so of camp, I was just like, 'He's not a factor.' It's just not a part of my thought process," <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/18695/bengals-vontaze-burfict-matt-burke-injury-status-uncertainty-murky">Bengals linebackers coach Matt Burke said via ESPN</a>. "Now as we get closer and we have to make a hard decision on him in the next week. It's tough."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Burfict suffered his injury against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 29 and underwent arthroscopic surgery soon after. When his knee wasn't responding to rehabilitation, he was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve on Dec. 9. The Pro Bowl linebacker contemplated surgery at the end of the season to repair what wasn't fixed in October.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Burfict underwent microfracture surgery earlier this year. The procedure is designed to <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000463388/article/bengals-vontaze-burfict-had-microfracture-surgery">correct cartilage damage on the side of his knee</a>, which involves drilling tiny fractures in bone to develop new cartilage.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Cincinnati will be forced into a decision soon. Like all NFL clubs, the Bengals are tasked with reducing their active roster to 75 players by 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday and then to 53 by 4 p.m. EST this Saturday. If Burfict is unable to play (and play well), Cincinnati can place him on Reserve/PUP, opening a roster spot for a productive player who is able to contribute. However, it also prevents Burfict from playing in the first six regular season games.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Now as we get closer to having to make decisions, then now [the questions] start creeping in a little more," Burke said. "'Hey, do we do this? Can we keep this guy if we don't do this? Where is Burfict? Is he on the roster? Is he PUP if he's not part of this mix?'"</p>
<p dir="ltr">There are other concerns. Even if or when Burfict returns, should we expect similarly subpar seasons like we saw from Geno Atkins and Leon Hall, both of whom entered last year coming off major injuries? Is Injured Reserve on the table? And what about IR with a designation to return -- if that's the plan, Cincinnati has to put him on the 53-man roster following final cuts, and then place him with that designation a few days later (<i>though this doesn't make much sense if he's already eligible for PUP</i>).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Burfict entered this season as the team's leading tackler in 2012 and 2013, during which he totaled 204 stops, 94 more than the second-place finisher (Rey Maualuga). Burfict earned a roster spot on the Pro Bowl team and a second-team mention on the Associated Press All-Pro team. The Bengals signed Burfict to a contract extension (four-year, $19 million with $6.9 million guaranteed) on Aug. 27, 2014, keeping him in Cincinnati through 2017.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/8/31/9237669/bengals-need-to-make-a-hard-decision-on-vontaze-burfictJosh Kirkendall2015-05-17T16:00:02-04:002015-05-17T16:00:02-04:00Burfict makes appearance at MLCF Golf Classic
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<p>Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict made his first public appearance since undergoing microfracture surgery earlier this year. He's crushing tee shots now.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> head coach <span>Marvin Lewis</span> hosted his annual Marvin Lewis Community Fund Golf Classic on Sunday. As we <a href="https://twitter.com/Marvin_Lewis_CF">navigate through the collection of tweets and pictures</a> -- all of which show people having a better time than you -- one tweet was especially encouraging and awesome to see:</p>
<p><span>Vontaze Burfict</span> driving off the tee.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><span>Vontaze Burfict</span> is making his way around the course. <a href="http://t.co/ljE9ojsFv1">pic.twitter.com/ljE9ojsFv1</a></p>
— MLCF (@Marvin_Lewis_CF) <a href="https://twitter.com/Marvin_Lewis_CF/status/599944844346286080">May 17, 2015</a>
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<p>For those of you who haven't experienced the game of golf, there's a lot of torque and stress when crushing a tee shot. The harder the swing, the more stress that's placed on your knee. The fact that there's any torque/stress being applied to his knee, while walking away from it, is encouraging.</p>
<p>Burfict underwent microfracture surgery earlier this year. <span>The procedure is designed to "</span><a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000463388/article/bengals-vontaze-burfict-had-microfracture-surgery" data-ref-index="6">correct cartilage damage on the side of his knee</a>," which <span>"involves drilling tiny fractures in bone to develop new cartilage." </span>Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the procedure and spoke with Ian Rapoport earlier this year, believes that Burfict should be able to return to his old form and be healthy by training camp</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="paragraph2" class="pgh-paragraph">"I don't see any reason, if this thing heals like we want and we think it will, why he won't be back like he was," said Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a member of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Board of Directors, over the phone. "Microfracture has a bad connotation, but there are plenty of guys who have come back and been able to play like before. But it's not really news when it works out."</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="paragraph3" class="pgh-paragraph">Burfict suffered his injury against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> on Oct. 29 and underwent arthroscopic surgery soon after. When his knee wasn't responding to rehabilitation, he was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve on Dec. 9. The Pro Bowl linebacker <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/1/5/7498415/bengals-linebacker-vontaze-burfict-likely-to-have-surgery" data-ref-index="7">contemplated surgery at the end of the season </a>to repair what wasn't fixed in October. <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/1/21/7869519/marvin-lewis-confirms-vontaze-burfict-underwent-surgery" data-ref-index="8">Marvin Lewis confirmed that he went ahead with the procedure</a>... though it wasn't known how serious the procedure actually was.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph">Until recently, most reports had Burfict stationed at his California home. <span>Linebackers coach, Matt Burke "visited Burfict and his rehab specialist in California and says the rehab is going as planned," </span><a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Depth-charge/4e55010a-6699-4734-bfe8-e3812c46a4ba" data-ref-index="6">wrote Geoff Hobson</a> earlier this offseason<span>. </span>The team planned and signed contingencies. Along with signing <span>Rey Maualuga</span> to a three-year deal and placing the second-round tender on <span>Emmanuel Lamur</span>, Cincinnati signed former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> linebacker <span>A.J. Hawk</span> to a two-year deal and drafted TCU linebacker <span>Paul Dawson</span>, <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/3/8535399/paul-dawson-drawing-comparisons-to-vontaze-burfict">who has characteristics that are comparable to Burfict</a>.</p>
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<p id="paragraph9" class="pgh-paragraph">Burfict entered this season as the team's leading tackler in 2012 and 2013, during which the totaled 204 stops, 94 more than the second-place finisher (Rey Maualuga). Burfict earned a roster spot on the pro bowl team and a second-team mention on the Associated Press All-Pro team. The Bengals signed Burfict to a contract extension (four-year, $19 million with $6.9 million guaranteed) on Aug. 27, keeping him in Cincinnati through 2017.</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/17/8617851/vontaze-burfict-looking-better-in-first-public-appearanceJosh Kirkendall2015-03-14T12:00:03-04:002015-03-14T12:00:03-04:00Vontaze Burfict rehab "going as planned"
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ac3wTPRjAhz8gfspPlbnQxoaM40=/0x142:3561x2516/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45894818/usa-today-7422966.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict underwent microfracture surgery in January. The former pro bowler is in California and when his knee gets stronger, he'll make his way to Cincinnati to continue rehabilitation efforts.</p> <p>Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is stationary at his California home, where he's recovering from microfracture surgery that occured in late January. Once he's more mobile, Burfict will return to Cincinnati to continue rehabilitation, <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Depth-charge/4e55010a-6699-4734-bfe8-e3812c46a4ba">according to Bengals.com</a>. Linebackers coach, Matt Burke "visited Burfict and his rehab specialist in California and says the rehab is going as planned," <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Depth-charge/4e55010a-6699-4734-bfe8-e3812c46a4ba">writes Geoff Hobson</a>.</p>
<p>It's logical to be concerned. Despite the advancements with sports-related injuries, microfracture surgery simply sounds scary. The procedure, as told to Ian Rappaport, is designed to "<a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000463388/article/bengals-vontaze-burfict-had-microfracture-surgery">correct cartilage damage on the side of his knee</a>" that "involves drilling tiny fractures in bone to develop new cartilage." Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the procedure and spoke with Rapoport in late January, believes that Burfict should be able to return to his old form and be healthy by training camp.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I don't see any reason, if this thing heals like we want and we think it will, why he won't be back like he was," said Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a member of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Board of Directors, over the phone. "Microfracture has a bad connotation, but there are plenty of guys who have come back and been able to play like before. But it's not really news when it works out."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The team is still planning contingencies. Along with signing Rey Maualuga to a three-year deal and placing the second-round tender on Emmanuel Lamur, Cincinnati signed former Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk to a two-year deal on Tuesday.</p>
<p>"We all saw what happened last year in this room and that was part of the reasoning to sign (Hawk)," <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Depth-charge/4e55010a-6699-4734-bfe8-e3812c46a4ba">Burke told Bengals.com</a>. "If we have some injuries, he’s a guy that can come in and be a Swiss army knife and to some extent help us out in different areas. You can never underestimate those types of guys with their immeasurables. I've seen it time in and time out."</p>
<p>Burfict suffered a knee injury against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 29 and underwent arthroscopic surgery soon after. When his knee wasn't responding to rehabilitation, he was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve on Dec. 9. The Pro Bowl linebacker <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/1/5/7498415/bengals-linebacker-vontaze-burfict-likely-to-have-surgery" style="background-color: #ffffff;">contemplated surgery at the end of the season </a>to repair what wasn't fixed in October and <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/1/21/7869519/marvin-lewis-confirms-vontaze-burfict-underwent-surgery" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Marvin Lewis confirmed that he went ahead with the procedure</a>... though it wasn't known how serious the procedure actually was.</p>
<p>"He has to work his tail off. He has to work harder now than he did to get here," Lewis said in Mobile, Alabama this week. "Everyone in his inner circle has continued to reinforce that. He has to work harder now than he did to get here."</p>
<p>Rapoport writes:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The hope is to regrow the cartilage with the procedure, sealing off the edges so it can't peel off and become a bigger issue. Essentially, it ceases the erosion and coats the knee. He'll stay off it for weeks, then slowly work his way back.</p>
<p>Despite the scary nature of the injury, Burfict and ElAttrache are optimistic.</p>
<p>"The goal for him is to be full-go in July," ElAttrache said. "If he's ready for minicamp, it's a bonus."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Burfict entered last season as the team's leading tackler in 2012 and 2013, where the totaled 204 stops, 94 more than the second-place finisher (Rey Maualuga). Burfict earned a roster spot on the Pro Bowl team and a second-team mention on the Associated Press All-Pro team. The Bengals signed Burfict to a contract extension (four-year, $19 million with $6.9 million guaranteed) on Aug. 27, 2014 keeping him in Cincinnati through 2017.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/3/14/8214787/bengals-lb-coach-on-vontaze-burfict-rehab-is-going-as-plannedJosh Kirkendall