Odell Thurman working out

Linebacker Odell Thurman, attempting to return to the Bengals and the NFL after what has amounted to a two-year league suspension for repeated violations of its substance abuse policy, continues to work out and has daily contact with head coach Marvin Lewis.

"I see Odell daily," Lewis said Wednesday. "I think he is doing well, he's working extremely hard. He still has some hurdles to cross in terms of his league requirements. It gives him something to hang his hat on and look forward to.

"It's a case of somebody who is a good man. He has meant nobody no harm. He has been his own worst (enemy). ... At some point he obviously didn't do something right. Unfortunately, early on, when he had the opportunity to turn this around, it didn't register. Now it has."

Thurman was permitted late last month by the NFL to begin working out with teammates and strength coaches at Paul Brown Stadium. That decision was a positive indicator that Thurman would be reinstated by the NFL.

Thurman will be just 25 on July 9. His rookie five-year contract, signed in 2005, was essentially frozen during his suspension. He has four years remaining on his deal with the Bengals. He has said in court that he is an alcoholic.

"He's still a very young guy. I think he can (be productive)," Lewis said of Thurman. "This (working out with the team) enables him to get back to the baseline. If he is reinstated, his conditioning base line will be where most guys are probably at. He's not been able to be in a position to train.

"If he can continue on this road, it will be a great story. It will be one where he can be a huge positive."

Bengals policy is not to allow players under suspension to talk to the media. They didn't allow wide receiver Chris Henry to be interviewed during his suspension. The same goes for Thurman. Thurman's representatives have said they don't want to go against club protocol.