The Bengals will welcome Geno Atkins back with open arms. (David Kohl-USA Today Sports)
Geno Atkins is eligible to practice with the Cincinnati Bengals nine months removed from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The All-Pro defensive tackle was activated from the physically unable to perform list slightly ahead of team projections. At the start of training camp, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said Atkins was definitely on schedule to play Week 1.
Atkins was injured almost two months to the day after he signed a five-year, $55 million contract. Atkins was hurt during the first half of the team’s Thursday night game loss to the Miami Dolphins. A pile of players fell on Atkins after he lost his footing while being blocked.
A first-team All-Pro selection in 2012, Atkins signed the contract extension in September. The 25-year-old made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons.
Cincinnati has a new defensive coordinator in Guenther, who replaces Mike Zimmer (Minnesota Vikings).
