Quick hits: Adam Jones doubtful, Ross full go; Doctors assure Eifert he'll be 100 percent

It was only a walk-through Friday but rookie wide receiver John Ross (knee) was upgraded to a full practice and questionable for Sunday's game (4:25 p.m.-Cincinnati's Channel 12) in Pittsburgh. For the second straight day starting cornerback Adam Jones (back) didn't work and was classified as doubtful.

Like the last game, slot receiver Tyler Boyd and fullback Ryan Hewitt were ruled out with knee injuries, although Hewitt is starting to work on the side and could be ready for next week and the Colts.  Also upgraded to full and questionable was back-up safety Derron Smith (ankle), who has missed the last three games.

It's hard to see Ross being active Sunday since he only returned Friday full. But that's a good sign for next week. It also means rookie wide receiver Josh Malone, a fourth-rounder out of Tennessee, is probably going to be active for his NFL debut. 

_Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert returned to the locker room Friday after this week's season-ending back surgery and says the doctors have assured him he's safe to play again and that he can get back to 100 percent.

"It's the best I've felt after a back surgery," said Eifert, who has had three. "They say the best thing you can for it is get up and walk."

Eifert has already made some key decisions as he heads into free agency, where he'll most likely be the biggest enigma in years. He says he had other options but he decided to rehab with the Bengals ("Still being around the guys helps,") and he'd like to return to the Bengals.

"I love it here," Eifert said. "I love the guys. I love the coaches. My coach. Coach (Jonathan) Hayes. I love the city."

But other than that, he's not sure what is going to happen. After missing 41 of a possible 80 games, would he take a one-year contract in order to prove he's healthy enough for a big one?

"That's so far away for me right now," Eifert said, "I'm just trying to get healthy … We'll figure all that out."