Cincinnati Bengals Activate Vontaze Burfict
By Connor Howe
Nov 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) reacts during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Just a couple of weeks ago, the thought that Vontaze Burfict wouldn’t return to action for the rest of the 2015 season was still very much a possibility–but not any more.
Burfict finally returned to practice this week, taking some reps with his teammates and getting comfortable on his knee after undergoing microfracture surgery during the 2014 season. After a brutal 10-month recovery, Burfict is finally back.
The Bengals activated their superstar linebacker on Friday, cutting receiver Greg Little (who has zero catches on the season) to make room for the Pro Bowler.
While Burfict isn’t a lock to see action on Sunday, it is still completely possible that he will take a few snaps, or possibly more. Burfict will test his knee out on the field during warm-ups, prior to the game, and see if he feels comfortable enough to play.
Here’s a quick transcript from an interview with Burfict earlier in the week.
“Would you play in a game not being 100 [percent]?”
Vontaze Burfict: “Of course, if I have to. If it’s the Super Bowl, I’m playing.”
“Vontaze, how hard has the last year been for you–just the journey back to this right now?”
Burfict: “It’s been hard, long, stressful–but, you know, I’m here now, thanks to God…almost healthy and hopefully I can get out there and play on Sunday one of these days.”
“You seem to be kind of a long shot to play on Sunday, I mean, you only had one practice…”
Burfict: “I’m not sure, that’s up to Marvin [Lewis].”
“Could you go–would you want to go?”
Burfict: “Yeah, of course I would want to go. I’m a football player…But like I said, that’s up to Marvin.”
And it looks like Burfict will have a shot to play, as the Bengals seem to think he’s healthy enough to give it a go on Sunday. He may not play every snap, but just seeing Burfict back in action is good news for the Bengals’ staff, coaches, players and fans. He makes this Bengals team more exciting to watch and better on the field.
At 6-0, the Bengals are already scary. And while it’s probably a bit of wishful thinking to hope so, the defense would be even scarier if Burfict can return to 2013 form. Burfict led the NFL with 171 tackles in 2013, making his first Pro Bowl appearance.