Atkins (shoulder) has been cleared for all football activity, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atkins was placed on injured reserve in December 2020 after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, but he's since returned to full strength. He figures to begin testing the waters and taking visits in the near future.

Coach Zac Taylor said Friday that the Bengals have released Atkins (shoulder), Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atkins was a Pro Bowler in eight of his 11 seasons with the Bengals, but last year marked a sharp decline in his production. The 2020 campaign was the first of Atkins' career without a sack, and he was limited to just eight appearances due to recurring injuries, including a season-ending shoulder issue suffered mid-December. Now staring down his age-33 season, Atkins will focus on returning to full health before searching for a starting gig elsewhere in the league.

The Bengals placed Atkins (shoulder) on injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Atkins has only suited up for eight contests this season, and he'll now be forced to miss the final three games of the year. The 2020 season will go down as the only one in the 11-year veteran's career without a sack. Atkins has spent his entire professional tenure with the Bengals to this point, but of his $14.8 million cap hit for 2021, only $5.2 million will be in dead money, giving Cincinnati a potential out.

Atkins was back at practice Thursday following the birth of his daughter, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atkins missed Sunday's loss to the Steelers because of personal reasons, but now the eight-time Pro Bowler is back in the mix for Cincinnati's defensive line. He was sidelined for the first quarter of the regular season because of a shoulder injury, and thus far he has only received 17 defensive snaps per game over his four appearances. Atkins remains without a sack or a start, after registering 4.5 sacks in 16 appearances (with 14 starts) in 2019.

Coach Zac Taylor said Friday that Atkins will be unavailable against Pittsburgh on Sunday for personal reasons, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

A timetable for the veteran defensive tackle's return remains undisclosed at this time. Atkins has been relegated to a backup role in four appearances this season, so in his stead Mike Daniels could end up handling increased work behind Xavier Williams and Christian Covington.

Atkins was relegated to a back up role in Sunday's loss to the Colts, Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atkins was vocal about his frustration in a back up role, as he saw action in just 29 percent of defensive snaps in the contest. This will render Atkins' IDP value non-existent, as Xavier Williams and Christina Covington have taken over as starters at defensive tackle going forward.

Atkins did not dent the stat sheet in Sunday's loss to the Ravens, recording zero tackles in 19 snaps - three on first downs, four on second downs and 11 on third downs, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atkins got eased in during his first game action of the season, but the Bengals will need a lot more from him now that D.J. Reader is out for the season with a quad injury.

Atkins (shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice and won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

After getting his first full practice of the season under his belt, Atkins has been given the green light to make his 2020 debut after the shoulder injury sidelined him for the Bengals' first four games. Cincinnati's lone Pro Bowler a season ago, Atkins should provide a major lift to a defensive-line group that lost Josh Tupou to an opt out and Mike Daniels (elbow) and Renell Wren (quadriceps) to injured reserve. Atkins and company will look to slow down a Ravens offense that ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards.

Coach Zac Taylor said Monday that Atkins (shoulder) is "progressing nicely" and may play Sunday against the Ravens, Tyler Dragon of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atkins was limited in every practice last week but was inactive in Week 4's win over Jacksonville. It's clear he's trending in the right direction, and Taylor's vote of confidence is another encouraging sign. If Atkins indeed returns to the lineup, it'll be a key addition as the Bengals attempt to shut down the Ravens' versatile run offense.

Atkins (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Jacksonville, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atkins took some steps in the right direction and was able to practice with pads this week, but his season debut will have to wait at least another week. He'll hope to be ready in time to face the Ravens in Week 5.