CINCINNATI -- As it pertained to their rush defense, Week 11 of last season was pivotal for the Cincinnati Bengals.

That Sunday afternoon in New Orleans, the Bengals received a major jolt when veteran linebacker Rey Maualuga returned from a four-game absence that was brought about by a hamstring injury. Compounded by Vontaze Burfict's revolving-door status because head, neck and knee injuries, Maualuga's absence left the Bengals lacking in energy at the second level of their defense.

This season, the Bengals aren't missing much in terms of energy. But that doesn't mean they won't take another midseason injection of it. As Burfict starts wrapping up a comeback from offseason knee surgery, the hope is that he will channel Maualuga and give an already solid defense an even bigger lift in the coming weeks.

"We should all play at a higher level because when he comes, it's like his level picks up, so everyone raises their level," linebacker Vincent Rey said of Burfict. "Rey set the standard last year, and I know 'Tez is going to set the standard this year."

Although he hasn't been activated this week while the Bengals are on their bye week, Burfict is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list. He and fellow linebacker Sean Porter were on the PUP list after injuries suffered last season, when Porter tore an ACL, and Burfict hurt his left knee in Week 8. Despite his desperate attempts at coming back throughout the season, Burfict ultimately went on the injured reserve ahead of January microfracture surgery. Coach Marvin Lewis said at the end of the preseason that Burfict was close to returning, but the staff believed it was in his best interest to begin the season on the PUP list.

PUP-listed players can't practice with the team for six weeks. Once those six weeks end, they can practice for three weeks before the team either has to place them on the 53-man roster or place them on the full-season IR. Burfict could be activated next week and practice ahead of possibly playing in the Bengals' Week 8 game at Pittsburgh.

With Burfict shelved at the start of this season, Rey has been the Bengals' top playmaker at the Will outside linebacker position. He leads the team with 57 tackles, and has watched his special-teams snaps nearly evaporate with so much attention needing to be placed on his defensive play. Rey has no idea how his role might be affected by Burfict's return.

"I hope that it'll make the snaps more even for everyone and that we'll all play," Rey said. "I hope I can continue to play on defense. And I hope that he comes in and plays also."

Although Rey did an equally admirable job making plays last year when Burfict and Maualuga were out, he was playing alongside other reserve linebackers who had barely logged on-field NFL service time. That combined lack of experience led in part to a series of 100-yard rushing performances for opposing ball carriers. Once Maualuga returned, those types of rushing outings disappeared.

Only once in six games after Maualuga's return did a team rush for more than 100 yards. All season when he was on the field, opposing rushers averaged 3.6 yards per carry. When he wasn't, they averaged 4.9 yards.

Cincinnati hopes Burfict can have a similarly tangible impact on this year's unit, which ranks in the NFL's top 10 in points allowed per game, sacks and defensive red-zone efficiency.

"He looks good from what I see," Rey said about Burfict's rehab.