CINCINNATI -- It's hard to attach value to how important Wednesday's practice was for the Cincinnati Bengals.

For the first time in a long time, they welcomed multiple injured players back to the fold, providing some measure of hope that they could be markedly healthier Sunday when Cincy hosts the Baltimore Ravens.

Even still, fourth-year receiver A.J. Green didn't practice. He did give a promising sign that he could play this week, though, when he participated in conditioning drills off to the side of the practice fields. It was the first time he has participated in any kind of activity since he was hurt at the start of a Wednesday practice two weeks ago. It was during that workout that Green aggravated his big right toe. It's an injury that has affected him since Week 1.

Asked to comment after practice, Green declined.

On Tuesday, he said on NFL Network that his status this weekend is "still up in the air," even if his toe has felt better and is beginning to progress.

Defensive tackle Brandon Thompson and linebacker Emmanuel Lamur were two Bengals in particular who returned Wednesday after having missed time in recent weeks because of injuries. Lamur hurt his left shoulder two weeks ago on the second-to-last play of regulation against the Panthers. Thompson suffered a knee injury in the Bengals' Week 2 win over the Falcons.

Both were listed as having limited practice participation.

If Thompson goes this weekend, he could help the Bengals' struggling run defense. In the four games since he got hurt, Cincinnati has allowed an average of 172.3 yards rushing per game. In the two games before a knee issue sidelined Thompson, the Bengals had been giving up an average of 95.5 yards rushing.

"He's a good run-stuffing guy," defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. "He's a key part of what we do and we can't wait to have him back."

If Lamur plays as expected, he will give the Bengals a jolt from an experience and talent standpoint. Because of injuries, for the last three quarters of Sunday's game at Indianapolis, the Bengals didn't have a single starter in the game at linebacker. Rookie Marquis Flowers and second-year reserve Jayson DiManche played the most snaps of their young careers alongside veteran backup Vincent Rey.

Rey started the game with Rey Maualuga out with a hamstring injury, but he ultimately assumed Pro Bowler Vontaze Burfict's duties once Burfict left in the first quarter with a neck injury.

Burfict's injury has responded favorably enough since Sunday that he joined Thompson and Lamur at practice. He, too, participated in a limited capacity. Running back Giovani Bernard also worked out in a limited fashion with a rib injury that came when he was demolished by Vontae Davis on a second-quarter screen at Indianapolis.

Cornerback Leon Hall (back), who also was hurt in the game against the Colts, did not practice.

Here's Cincinnati's full injury report:

OUT

LB Rey Maualuga (hamstring)

DID NOT PRACTICE

DE Robert Geathers (toe)

WR A.J. Green (toe)

CB Leon Hall (back)

OL Mike Pollak (knee)

LIMITED PRACTICE PARTICIPATION

RB Giovani Bernard (ribs)

TE Kevin Brock (neck)

LB Vontaze Burfict (neck)

DE Wallace Gilberry (eye)

LB Emmanuel Lamur (shoulder)

OT Marshall Newhouse (back)

OT Andre Smith (shoulder)

DT Brandon Thompson (knee)