Bengals' Burfict cleared to practice

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been cleared to practice, the club announced Thursday.

Burfict, who's suspended for the first three games of the season, was placed on the active/non-football injury list last week.

Head coach Marvin Lewis said he doesn't plan to play Burfict during the preseason in order to protect him from injury.

It's still uncertain what prompted the Bengals to place the linebacker on the active/NFI list.