Cincinnati Bengals RB Chris Perry's playing status with the team remains up in the air after missing nearly two seasons due to a broken and dislocated ankle. He last carried the ball in Game 11 of the 2006 season against Cleveland. Now the former first-round pick is not only battling back from injury, but could be fighting for a job.

Perry appears to have his work cut out for him in what is turning out to be a crowded backfield for the Bengals. He will have to prove himself during training camp and will have some stiff competition. Kenny Watson, DeDe Dorsey and rookie free agent James Johnson, who has been very impressive in practice thus far, are vying for playing time behind starter Rudi Johnson.

During an interview with Perry in mini-camp he proclaimed himself 85 percent healed from the injury, but insists that the road to recovery is going well.

"Everything is working out fine," he said. "I'm just getting back and used to playing football and trying to get better each and everyday."

Perry had a good showing in OTAs and mini-camp, but it was noticeable he was not at full strength. He lacked initial burst, quickness and struggled running the ball outside. Where he excelled was in the passing game. Perry caught the ball extremely well out of the backfield and when flanked out in the wide receiver slot. He showed deceptive speed and power running between the tackles.

Perry brings a lot of versatility on offense when healthy. He's the complete package and a perfect change-of-pace back to Johnson. The only drawback is being injury-prone.

Perry was known as a durable back coming out of Michigan, but that hasn't been the case since he entered the pros. He's carried the ball 73 times since being selected by the Bengals with the 26th overall pick of the 2004 draft. Perry had one game in college where he carried the ball 51 times.

He talked about the anxiety of getting back on the field after the long layoff.

"It was very frustrating," Perry said. "Anytime you're not in control of your body when you're use to being in control your whole life, it's a frustrating deal. It was tough to watch plays go by where I knew I could have made that play. Now I'm just counting my blessings every day being out here and being able to play football. I'm just trying to get back and show everybody that I can still run the ball."

Perry said his expectations for the season are to play a lot. He wants to do everything he can to stay healthy and make an impact. His participation in offseason work outs was vitally important and the first step toward refining his craft. He has to work on getting his vision back, making cuts and getting footwork down.

Perry knows nothing is guaranteed and that his job could be in jeopardy if he doesn't prove to the team in camp that he's the back he was before the injury. If Perry's performance this summer is not up to standard the team could easily unload his salary in a cost-cutting move.

Unsure of his role on offense, Perry said he will do whatever the coaches ask him to do in order to help the team.

It is going to be an uphill climb for the often-injured running back and only time will tell if he can win the battle against the physical nature of the NFL.