Bengals' Vontaze Burfict recovering from microfracture knee surgery

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has a lengthy recovery process ahead of him after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee, but his surgeon is optimistic he can return in 2015. 

"I don't see any reason, if this thing heals like we want and we think it will, why he won't be back like he was," Dr. Neal ElAttrache told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "Microfracture has a bad connotation, but there are plenty of guys who have come back and been able to play like before. But it's not really news when it works out."

Despite the seriousness of the procedure - aimed at repairing damaged cartilage in the knee - Burfict is aiming to be ready for training camp, and possibly even sooner.

"The goal for him is to be full-go in July," ElAttrache said. "If he's ready for minicamp, it's a bonus."

The 24-year-old signed a four-year contract extension with the Bengals prior to the 2014 season after establishing himself as one of the defense's most productive players in his first two years in the league.