Tyler Eifert aims to return for Cincinnati Bengals' opener

CINCINNATI -- Tyler Eifert continues to make progress coming off ankle surgery stemming from an injury he suffered in the Pro Bowl.

On Wednesday, Eifert was seen working out on the rehab field, which is a crowded place for the Bengals these days.

Eifert began running on Monday. He's still hoping to be ready for the Bengals' regular-season opener at the New York Jets.

--George Iloka said the Bengals are approaching Sunday's preseason game at Jacksonville as if it's the regular-season opener.

"We're treating this like a real game in terms of our game planning and preparation," the veteran safety said. "We'll see where we are this week. It's like any Sunday. Go out there, force turnovers, stop the run."

Cincinnati is 1-1 in the preseason after a 30-14 win at Detroit.

While coach Marvin Lewis said he won't predetermine how long the starters will play Sunday, the Bengals will be without several injured regulars, all of whom remain hopeful to be ready by the opener.

"Our approach is based on our players and what we need to get done by position," Lewis said. "We know what level of conditioning work that we monitor all the time. We can use those numbers from the game to know where we are. Some guys will get extended a little longer. Others won't."

--WR Tyler Boyd has been among the standouts in preseason. While much is still yet to be determined over the next two weeks, it appears Boyd is in line for a starting role.

"Tyler Boyd has been tremendous," Lewis said. "He's made a step forward in that way."

--WR Brandon LaFell participated in practice on Wednesday. He has been out with a torn ligament in his right hand but is on track to play Sunday at Jacksonville.

LaFell was signed this past offseason to provide experience alongside veteran A.J. Green with a core of largely young receivers.

"I never wasn't optimistic," Lewis of LaFell's health.