Burfict returns to action

Bengals OLB Vontaze Burfict has passed his physical and rejoined the team. Burfict opened training camp on the non-football injury list because of a hamstring issue but returns with plenty of time to get ready. Of course, the veteran will still miss the 1st 4 weeks of the regular season because of a PED suspension. Cincinnati lists Jordan Evans as Burfict's primary backup on the initial ("unofficial") depth chart. IDP owners in deeper leagues can consider pairing the 2. Evans topped 80% playing time in 3 straight games last season after OLB Nick Vigil went down.

The NFL has suspended Raiders LB Vontaze Burfict for the rest of the season for his headshot on Colts TE Jack Doyle Sunday. Burfict has a history of league suspensions for similar offenses, which explains the unprecedented length of this ban. Burfict has 3 days to appeal it, so we'll see whether it changes. Either way, Tahir Whitehead has been the more reliable Oakland LB for playing time and tackles and should be owned in most IDP leagues of at least moderate depth.

Raiders LB Vontaze Burfict got booted in the 1st half of Sunday's game against the Colts for an illegal hit. Given his past with the league on such hits, we should probably expect some sort of suspension to follow here.

Raiders LB Vontaze Burfict is questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings with a shoulder injury. Burfict put in limited workouts all week. We'll check his status Sunday morning.

Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict (concussion) is inactive for today's game against the Browns. He shouldn't have been in IDP consideration anyway.

Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict (hip) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens after missing the past 2 games. He put in limited practices all week, and we'd bet on the veteran playing. He's still a risky fantasy option even if active, though. Burfict played just 53%, 84% and 63% of Cincinnati's defensive snaps in his 3 appearances so far this season. Burfict has also averaged just 6.6 total tackles per game since the start of last season. Cincinnati will remain without LB Nick Vigil (knee), and MLB Preston Brown (knee) has also been ruled out.