The Cincinnati Bengals depleted linebacker corps could receive a much needed jolt with the soon expected return of starting strong-side LB Rashad Jeanty, who has been sidelined with a leg injury.

Jeanty is on the mend from a shin injury which required doctors to insert a rod into the leg to stabilize it and help with the healing process.

Jeanty's agent, David Canter, said he is cautiously optimistic that his client will get clearance to play next week when the Bengals travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs.

"Rashad is dying to get back out there and play," Canter said. "He didn't want to miss a game and gave great consideration to playing with the pain. But obviously I couldn't allow that to happen. It was too much of a risk to play considering the type of injury and especially playing the linebacker position."

Canter said that Jeanty is running now and starting to get his wind back working his way toward 100 percent. Although he is making good progress the injury is not one you can rush back from.

With that being said, the organization could opt to keep Jeanty on ice for another week just to be sure and activate him for the team's home game against the New York Jets on Oct. 21, giving Bengal fans something to cheer about.

Jeanty was a surprise contributor on defense last season after taking over for former first-round pick David Pollack, who went down with a possible career-ending neck injury in the second game of the season against Cleveland. However, the defense didn't miss a beat when the unknown linebacker stepped in.

The 6-2, 245 pound linebacker made his presence felt finishing the 2006 season with 59 tackles, four passes defensed, one forced fumble, seven special-teams stops and a special-teams fumble recovery.

Talking to Jeanty during training camp before the leg injury, the linebacker had high expectations for himself and the defense this season.

"I have to be more consistent," Jeanty said. "I figure if I can be more consistent on an individual basis it'll help out the team. That's goes for everybody on defense. If everybody is more consistent it will be better for the team."

It's clear that Jeanty could foresee what the team's defense lacked consistency as early as training camp. To say that the defense has been suspect thus far this season would be an understatement.

No doubt the Bengals have missed what Jeanty brings to the table on defense, intensity, maturity and confidence. He's a player that is eager and determined to learn. He will be a welcomed edition to a struggling Bengals' defense once he suits up.

The Bengals' organization and players have come under fire as of late for their antics on and off the field. However, Jeanty is one of those players who is a breath of fresh air to be around and hopefully he can breathe some new life back into a horrid defense both on the field and in the locker room.

Yo, Marvin! Help is on the way.