Bengals' Tyler Eifert: Says he'll be ready for start of training camp

Eifert (back) doesn't know if he will be cleared for OTAs or minicamp, but he said he will be ready for the start of training camp, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports. "I'll be ready and healthy and strong and be ready to go by the time it's go time," Eifert said. "I'm close."

Analysis:

Although he isn't yet running at full speed, Eifert said his back feels great and should be back to full strength at some point this summer. There's still some hope he could participate in OTAs and minicamp in May and June, but the larger focus will be on having him ready for the start of training camp in late July. Eifert missed the first six games of last season with an ankle injury and the final two games with a back injury, finishing with 29 catches for 394 yards and five touchdowns in eight appearances. He's only played 37 of a possible 64 regular-season games since entering the league as a first-round selection in 2013, but he's scored 18 touchdowns in 21 games over the past two seasons while averaging 3.9 catches for 48 yards per contest.