Bengals' Burfict receives clearance to practice

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has received clearance from the team to resume practicing for the first time since undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee.

Burfict received medical clearance from his surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, earlier this week, according to Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Inquirer.

The Bengals now have a 21-day window in which they can activate Burfict to the 53-man roster.

Burfict hasn't played for the Bengals since Oct. 26, 2014. He underwent a knee scope a few days later, but the problem persisted, leading to microfracture surgery in January.