CINCINNATI (AP) — Bengals receiver A.J. Green returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, ending a nearly three-week absence because of a bruised knee.

Green was allowed to participate in non-contact drills only. The All-Pro receiver said the team was being cautious, easing him in slowly.

“I am back to 100 percent,” Green said. “They just don’t want to throw me back just like this. As the days go on I am going to work my way back into them.”

The Bengals play their second preseason game on Saturday night against Tennessee at Paul Brown Stadium. It’s unlikely Green would play, given the team’s cautious approach, but he wants to get into at least one of the preseason games.

“I want to play,” he said. “Just a matter of which one. So, we will see what the coaches say. I definitely want to play.”

He bruised his left knee while trying to make a sideline catch during the first practice of training camp on July 25. He’s been held out of practice since then, working on getting the knee healed.

Green caught 97 passes for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. The Bengals want to make sure the knee is back to full strength for their season opener in Chicago on Sept. 8.