Tim Thomas

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While Andy Dalton was throwing deep passes to A.J. Green and the rest of the Bengals receivers on Friday Authentic Daniel Kilgore Jersey , Tyler Eifert was on a side field running sprints in shorts and a cut-off shirt.

He ran one sprint, then another. Next were some agility drills. The tight end did everything except catch one of Dalton's spirals.

The Bengals' most oft-injured player hopes that part comes soon.

The Bengals have gambled that Eifert can stay healthy for a full season and get the NFL's worst offense moving again. He played only two games last season before hurting his back again, prompting another medical procedure. Eifert was a free agent after the season, and the Bengals decided to keep him with an incentive-laden, one-year deal .

Cincinnati's offense finished last in the league in yards. A healthy Eifert could help change that.

"I can't predict the future on that one, but I can testify to the fact that he made a difference when he was up and running for us," director of player personnel Duke Tobin said. "We know what he can do if he can get back to that level."

Eifert is one of Dalton's favorite targets. He caught 13 touchdown passes in 2015 Roquan Smith Bears Jersey , the most by a tight end in Bengals history. That was the last time the Bengals made the playoffs. A concussion, a dislocated elbow, a torn ankle ligament and two back injuries have limited him to 24 games over the last four years.

Although the Bengals have encouraging reports on Eifert's back, they've decided to go slow with him at the start of camp. He hasn't been cleared to practice even though he feels he's ready, forcing him to work out on a side field the first two days.

"When I came back, I thought I'd go right into practice," Eifert said. "Everyone knows all the surgeries I've had. We're just being smart about it."

The Bengals are trying to keep him healthy and get him in shape for the opener at Indianapolis on Sept. 9. He said there's been no discussion about how much he might play in the preseason.

"I definitely need to get back out there Martinas Rankin Color Rush Jersey , get some plays full-speed," Eifert said. "It's been a while."

Eifert hurt his back during the second game last season, a 13-9 loss to Houston. Backups Tyler Kroft and C.J. Uzomah combined for 52 catches and eight touchdowns during the season.

Eifert's greatest asset is his ability to make catches in tight coverage, the main reason he became Dalton's favorite target near the goal line. The tight end has made one change in the offseason, dropping at least 10 pounds for quickness.

"I feel a lot better," he said. "Everyone is always saying you're got to block and hang in there in the trenches, you've got to put on weight Denzel Ward Jersey Elite , but that's (wrong)."

ON THE SIDE: Linebacker Vontaze Burfict also worked out on the side Friday for the second straight day. He hasn't been cleared to practice. Burfict is suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

ROSS AGAIN: Second-year receiver John Ross made his second impressive catch of camp on a long throw, drawing applause from the crowd of 1,050. Ross missed most of his rookie season with shoulder injuries.

OUCH: Tony McRae fell while trying to break up a pass, and receiver Cody Core landed on the back of the cornerback's right leg. McRae limped to a cart and was taken off for an exam.

The Ravens and Bears will kick off the NFL's preseason on Aug. 2 in the Hall of Fame game as they honor 2018 inductees Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher.

Baltimore linebacker Lewis and Chicago LB Urlacher will enter the hall on Aug. 4.

The league's preseason schedule was announced Wednesday and features eight nationally televised games. In Week 2 of the preseason, the Jets will visit the Redskins for a Thursday night game Aug. 16, and the Ravens will be at Indianapolis on Aug. 20.

Week 3 will have five national telecasts, beginning Aug. 23 with Super Bowl champion Philadelphia at Cleveland. The next night will see Detroit at Tampa Bay. On Saturday Authentic Courtland Sutton Jersey , Aug. 25, New Orleans visits the Los Angeles Chargers, and the following day, Cincinnati is at Buffalo for an afternoon match, with Arizona at Dallas in a night game.

The preseason will end Aug. 30-31, and the regular season will begin Sept. 6 in Philadelphia.

Regular season schedules will be announced at a later date.

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