Team news: Philadelphia Eagles | Page 60

Bengals first-round pick John Ross avoided a season-ending knee injury when he went down during the team’s final preseason game, but it still looks like the rookie wide receiver is going to have a delayed start to his first NFL season.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Ross is expected to miss this week’s season opener against the Ravens as well as their Week Two matchup with the Texans. That game will be played on Thursday night, so the short week isn’t doing Ross any favors when it comes to getting back in action.

We had a report on Monday from the Bengals that Ross would miss a couple of weeks, but it makes sense with the short week the team wouldn't rush him back for Week 2. Owners should keep in mind he probably has some catching up to do.

First-round pick John Ross wore his No. 15 jersey to Monday’s practice but was sans helmet as the Bengals begin prep for Sunday’s opener (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 12) at Paul Brown Stadium. Ross may have sprained his knee in last Thursday’s preseason finale.

We had a report Friday that said the injury is not serious but he'd be out a couple of weeks.

On Monday, the Bengals took a big step with the first-round pick. WR John Ross was cleared to participate in contact drills and was running with the rest of the team through 11-on-11.

Ross won’t be found digging a safety out in a run game drill just yet, but he’s closer to making his Bengals’ debut.

“It’s a process,” said Ross, who previously only worked with routes against air. “I just want to take everything slowly, I don’t want to rush everything. I don’t think it’s imperative for me to come back right now and play Saturday. I think it’s important for me to be ready for Week 1.”

The story went on to say Ross said it’s important to him to participate in a preseason game to get a feel for game speed before hosting Baltimore on Sept. 10, but acknowledges he’s following doctor’s orders. No call has been made on if he will participate in one of the preseason games at this point.

Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert said in April that he wasn’t sure he would be cleared to practice at the start of training camp due to the back surgery he had last December, but he got good news when he met with doctors to find out if he’d be able to join his teammates on the field this week.

Eifert said, via Paul Dehner of the Cincinnati Enquirer, that he’s been fully cleared to practice. Eifert missed eight games last season to continue a career-long trend of time spent in the trainer’s room rather than on the field, where Eifert has been a potent part of the Cincinnati offense.

First-round pick John Ross said, via Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com, said that he’s been cleared to practice.

Eifert has missed 27 games over his first four seasons, something that the Bengals would obviously like to see change as he heads into his fifth NFL campaign, the story said. Meanwhile, Ross is going to be limited as he makes his way back from shoulder surgery.

Rookie wide receiver John Ross, taken in the first-round after his shoulder surgery, isn’t expected to make his Bengals practice debut for a couple of weeks.

It's looking less likely that Ross will contribute early in the season. He missed offseason activities due to shoulder surgery (and late graduation from the University of Washington).

Bengals rookie wide receiver John Ross, taken in the first-round after his shoulder surgery, isn’t expected to make his Bengals practice debut for a couple of weeks.

The story added Ross's situation may not become official until Thursday, so it's something for owners to keep an eye on later this week.