Bengals' Zac Taylor 'optimistic' C.J. Uzomah will play in Super Bowl

Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah called his shot on Monday when he defiantly told reporters "I'm not missing the biggest game of my life" despite the fact he's dealing with a sprained MCL in his left knee he suffered in the AFC Championship Game back on Jan. 30. Uzomah then excited Cincinnati fans when he dramatically ripped a brace off his knee during Monday's prime-time Super Bowl LVI rally. 

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor spoke with reporters Wednesday and indicated Uzomah's words and actions weren't merely for show. 

"Again, we’ve got three more days of work to see where he’s at," Taylor said of Uzomah, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "He won’t practice today, but he’ll likely get in some work tomorrow. So, again, optimistic with where he’s at."  

Uzomah has been held out of practice sessions throughout the Super Bowl lead-up, so the fact he'll "get in some work" Thursday is promising as it pertains to his availability for Sunday's Super Bowl clash with the Los Angeles Rams even if logic suggests the 29-year-old will be on some sort of "pitch count." 

Uzomah tallied 13 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown in two playoff games before the injury and after he recorded 49 catches for 493 yards and five scores during the regular season.