In the midst of a 6-0 start to the season and coming fresh off a bye week, the Cincinnati Bengals are set to be even better than they were before the bye. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict was activated off the physically unable to perform list after having microfracture surgery in the offseason.

Burfict battled injuries throughout the 2014 season, which severely limited his ability. He did not look like the same linebacker who was named second-team All Pro and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2013. He returned to practice this week and is now expected to play in a crucial game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

We will likely see Burfict on a snap count in his first game back, which is the smart route to take. It will be worth monitoring how well Burfict moves and how his knee holds up throughout the game. If he can return to something close to his 2013-form, it's a massive piece joining the Bengals' defense and would hopefully lead to more people taking this team seriously as a contender.