The Facts: Eifert, who underwent back surgery late last year, doesn't know when he'll be cleared to resume regular workouts or work in the May and June camps, but he says he'll ready for training camp.

Diehards Line: Eifert isn't running full steam yet, but he’s been running enough that he feels he’s close to being in tip-top shape. “I’ll be ready and healthy and strong and be ready to go by the time it’s go time,” Eifert said. “I’m close.” As Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson notes, staying healthy has been easier said than done since the Bengals took Eifert with their first-round pick in 2013. The TE missed the first four game last season after having offseason ankle surgery. When he tweaked his back running a route in one of his first practices back, he missed two more games and had a disc removed while the Bengals were playing their last two games. Now Eifert heads into the option year of his rookie deal that the Bengals chose to exercise at $4.8 million. He'll need to stay healthy, however, to earn a big-dollar contract going forward.