The Sports Xchange

CINCINNATI — Vontaze Burfict’s six-week stint on the physically unable to perform list could be over. But it isn’t.

The Cincinnati Bengals linebacker practiced on Monday in a T-shirt and shorts and appears no closer to being back in uniform despite being dubbed close to returning by head coach Marvin Lewis late in training camp.

The goal was for Burfict to return for this Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh, but that appears unlikely. A Pro Bowler in 2013, Burfict appeared in just five games last season, missing two games due to a concussion before being placed on injured reserve in December with a knee injury.

“Obviously it’s just like anybody else,” defensive coordinator Paul Guenther told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It’s like coming into training camp. You’re not going to be in football shape right away, so you can’t play a whole bunch of snaps right away. We’ll have to ease him into it when he gets back.”

Burfict led the team with 204 tackles in 2013 along with three sacks and an interception.

–The Bengals have had mixed results coming off bye weeks. During head coach Marvin Lewis’ tenure, they are 4-7-1, which ranks 29th in the NFL. Since 2009, Cincinnati is 3-3 following a bye, 2-2 during quarterback Andy Dalton’s career. Cincinnati began last season 3-0 heading into a bye week then got beat 43-17 at New England.

The bye week came at the right time for the Bengals, at least for some. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick tried to watch Carolina’s 27-16 victory over Philadelphia but couldn’t bear it. “I wanted to play,” Kirkpatrick said. “I tried to watch. I had to turn it off. It’s very hard to put the brakes on especially with the roll we were on.”

–Defensive end Michael Johnson participated in practice Monday following the bye week. He left the October 18 game at Buffalo in the fourth quarter with a leg injury after recording four tackles and a quarterback hit. Through six weeks, Johnson had 16 tackles and one sack.

–Linebacker Vincent Rey practiced Monday following the bye week. He was carted off the field with an ankle injury during the October 18 game at Buffalo. He later returned to the sideline in uniform and under his own power. Rey leads the team with 57 tackles including 35 solo and an interception.

–Cornerback Leon Hall practiced Monday following the bye week. He was inactive for the Bengals’ last game with a back injury. Darqueze Dennard started in his place. Hall has 13 tackles this season.