Jack Del Rio not ruling Aaron Kampman out for week 5 game against Bengals

When Aaron Kampman tore his ACL in practice after nine weeks and eight games as a member of the Jaguars, there was obvious disappointment. No one thought, though, that Kampman wouldn't be ready for the beginning of the 2011 season. Complications with his recovery and swelling in his knee caused him to miss the first four games of the season and it wasn't until last Thursday that he finally returned to the practice field.

After two practices in which he was limited, Jack Del Rio isn't ruling out that Kampman could return to the lineup in the week five matchup against the Bengals. When asked if Kampman would play this week he said:

"I'm not certain of that. We'll see how the week goes. I know he's progressing. He's feeling confident about the work he's been able to put in and where he's at this particular point, we'll just need to see how practice goes."

A followup question asked if there's a chance he could play.

"Yeah, I think we'll just have to see how practice goes."

While it's far from the guarantee fans are waiting for, it's the first time that Kampman hasn't been essentially ruled out days prior to the game. With a rookie quarterback in Andy Dalton next up for the Jaguars defense, generating a pass rush will likely be a priority and, when healthy, Kampman is the best pass rusher on the Jaguars.