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As NFL.com's Chris Wesseling framed it, "The Bengals' one-year gamble on oft-injured tight end Tyler Eifert is off to an inauspicious start this offseason."

With Eifert unable to take the field for this week's minicamp, head coach Marvin Lewis acknowledged Wednesday that the status of the 2015 Pro Bowl selection is uncertain for the start of training camp this summer.

"My understanding is he did tweak his back just a little bit," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport advised viewers on Wednesday.

Lewis' frustration with Eifert's availability has been ongoing, per Rapoport. When the Bengals brought him back on a one-year deal, the hope was that he would be fully healthy and in prime condition for a bounce-back season that would earn him a lucrative long-term deal in 2019.

Plagued by a troublesome back injury that necessitated a third surgery, Eifert managed to play just two games last season. Through five NFL seasons, he's missed more regular-season games (41) than he's played (39).

That includes fewer than three games two of the past four years.

All that said, the upside is there.

As ESPN.com's Mike Clay reminded readers, Eifert missed three games in 2015, but still led tight ends in the league with 13 touchdowns. He missed eight games in 2016, but scored five touchdowns and ranked seventh at the position in fantasy points per game.

So yes. Durability a major concern. And the back adds to that. But the price will likely be cheap enough to make the potential rewards appealing -- assuming he plays at all.

Given that uncertainty, those drafting in early best-ball leagues will likely want to go three deep at tight end just to cover their bases in case Eifert doesn't make it onto the field this season.