CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals safety George Iloka said he's "coming along" from a knee injury that sidelined him early in training camp.
Iloka is expected to be out 3-4 weeks with the injury, which would likely keep him out of the entire preseason. He said he's "day-by-day" at this point.
"That's how I look at it," Iloka said with a smile. "I just attack every day how you're supposed to. The answer is, I'm a day better than yesterday and we'll see from there."
Iloka's non-contact injury occurred on the third day of training camp, and he had to admit he was pretty grim about the outcome when it initially happened.
"If you watch it on tape, it looked nasty. If you ask any athlete, they'll tell you any time you have a knee get caught in the ground, especially when it looked the way it did, you're going to be nervous and you're probably going to think the worst," he said. "I'm just happy and fortunate that it wasn't that serious and the most I'll probably miss is weeks and not months. I'm happy, I'm rehabbing hard and I'll be there as soon as I can."
Iloka said he has been working with athletic trainer Nick Cosgray, who oversaw Giovani Bernard's rehab from a torn ACL during the offseason.
"I call him the knee guru," Iloka said. "You know how fast he brought back Gio. So I'm in good hands."
C.J. Uzomah carted off from practice:
While Iloka's injury situation seems to be one of the better scenarios he hoped for, the Bengals are waiting for test results on tight end C.J. Uzomah, who was carted off from practice on Monday. Uzomah appeared to suffer a leg injury and was helped onto a cart, where he grimaced in pain as they drove him back to the locker room.
T.J. Johnson returns, Jordan Willis sits:
T.J. Johnson returned after missing four practices with an undisclosed injury, while rookie Jordan Willis did not dress for practice. Johnson worked as the second-team center. Cedric Peerman and Brandon Wilson, both on the non-football injury list, did not practice. Jake Kumerow (ankle), J.J. Dielman and Tony McRae also did not practice. Wide receiver Chris Brown returned to practice.
'Top' plays of the day:
Joe Mixon, working with the second team, took a short shovel pass from AJ McCarron and weaved around defenders, running for a gain of around 20 yards. Mixon had another long run a few plays later with the second team, swinging outside before running down the sideline. ... Jeremy Hill stymied Michael Johnson while blocking for Andy Dalton. ... Derron Smith and Smith sacked McCarron, although it was likely a coverage sack. ... Cedric Ogbuehi had a nice block on a play in which Dalton kept the ball up the middle for a big gain. ... Alonzo Russell had a one-handed catch from McCarron, although McCarron might have been sacked by Will Clarke and DeShawn Williams. ... Dalton threw a touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell over the head of KeiVarae Russell. ... Tyler Kroft extended his arms for a touchdown pass from McCarron, earning a high five from Dalton. ... Darqueze Dennard came up with an interception late in team drills.
'Not' plays of the day:
Dalton tossed a tight spiral downfield to Cody Core, but the receiver couldn't quite come down with it with William Jackson III and Josh Shaw. ... It was a tough day for tackle Kent Perkins, who appeared to give up a "sack" against Chris Smith. Perkins was blocking for McCarron with the second team. ... The pocket collapsed quickly on Andy Dalton on one play, but it appeared the defense was offsides. ... Geno Atkins beat Jake Fisher to pressure Dalton, but he was able to move away before Atkins could get to him.
Both kickers perfect on Monday:
Jake Elliott was good from 35 yards, 33 yards and 40 yards, while Randy Bullock was good from 30 yards, 33 yards and 40 yards. Bullock has made 19-0f-20 field goals at camp, and Elliott has made 19-of-21, with an additional missed PAT during the scrimmage.