Jermaine Gresham (knee) is expected to be active for Monday Night Football. Cincinnati's first official practice won't be until Thursday, but Gresham should at least be a limited participant. Gresham is just the No. 20 tight end in Chris Wesseling and Mike Clay's Week 1 rankings.

Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden hinted that Jermaine Gresham (day to day, knee) remains an key piece of the Benagls' blocking scheme. Gresham has good athleticism at 6'5/260, but he's clearly an in-line tight end. "Heƒ?Ts still very important as a blocker," Gruden said. "Jermaine's a good blocker. Fantasy football people forget that." Additionally, Gresham was one of the worst pass-catchers in the league at getting yards after the catch last season, resulting in zero games with more than 70 yards receiving. He's just a TE2.

Jermaine Gresham has yet to practice since spraining his knee in the second preseason game. The Bengals remain optimistic that Gresham will be available for the season opener versus the Ravens. For those drafting this week, borderline TE1 options such as Kyle Rudolph, Greg Olsen and Jared Cook are more attractive than Gresham.

The Bengals are characterizing Jermaine Gresham's Thursday night knee injury as a sprain. Per beat writer Joe Reedy, Gresham's sprain isn't as severe as DE Robert Geathers', but not quite as minor as MLB Rey Maualuga's. In other words, it's probably a 1-2 week injury. The sprain could keep Gresham out of Cincinnati's third preseason game, but he should be back by Week 1. Through two exhibition contests, Gresham has two catches for 44 yards. He's a TE2 in fantasy leagues.

Jermaine Gresham (knee) emerged from Thursday's preseason game "fine." During the first quarter, Gresham went down awkwardly after a 25-yard catch-and-run. But coach Marvin Lewis expressed no concern and even said that his tight end could play next week. Gresham was walking well after the game, confirming that no damage was done.

Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham won't return to Thursday's preseason game versus the Falcons after injuring his knee in the first quarter. Gresham forced two missed tackles on an impressive catch-and-run, but got his foot stuck awkwardly in the turf while going down. Although he got up with a limp, Gresham appeared to walking fine on the sideline later in the series. His removal from the game could be precautionary. Stay tuned for updates.

Bengals.com believes TE Jermaine Gresham is a "very real No. 2 option" in the passing game this season. Coordinator Jay Gruden has hinted at an increased role for a more confident Gresham, and there's a production void to fill following Jerome Simpson's departure. After meeting with Gresham Thursday, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco advises to "look for a big year" from the tight end.

Coach Marvin Lewis recently said that Jermaine Gresham is "a different man - very, very confident in himself."

Bengals OC Jay Gruden wants TE Jermaine Gresham to improve in his ability to "read coverages on the move." Gresham was criticized for sloppy route running and missed assignments early in his first season under Gruden, but he did show improvement late in the year. "We've got to do a good job getting him more involved downfield and he's got to make sure he's more accountable for the quarterback," Gruden said. "When he gets to that point I would expect him to put up some strong numbers."

According to Pro Football Focus, 40 of Jermaine Gresham's 61 receptions last season were on routes run of 10 yards or less. Gresham became the first Bengals tight end since early '80s star Dan Ross to post two seasons of 50 receptions or more, but his low yards per reception average had been a concern in Dynasty circles. PFF's metrics suggest the results are related more to scheme and play-calling than a lack of playmaking ability on Gresham's part.