The Bengals offense may be getting a boost in the near future.
Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins has returned to practice, starting the clock on his return to the active roster after spending the first half of the season on injured reserve. Hawkins has been hobbled by an ankle injury that made him a candidate for the IR-return spot early in training camp and the Bengals placed him on the list as soon as they were able to in September.
Hawkins can practice for the next three weeks before the Bengals are required to make a decision about putting him on the active roster.
Hawkins caught 51 passes for 533 yards and four touchdowns out of the slot for Cincinnati last season. His return would give the Bengals more options to go with Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu as complements for A.J. Green in the passing game. With the addition of Tyler Eifert at tight end to go with Jermaine Gresham, Hawkins may see fewer opportunities this season but he should still be a valuable piece for quarterback Andy Dalton.