Taylor Mays returned to practice Monday for the first time since suffering a possible concussion in Friday's victory against the Jets. The third-year safety out of USC walked away dazed after being hit in the side of the head attempting to make a tackle.

He met with the Bengals doctors and an independent doctor to be sure there was no concussion issue. He was officially cleared to return by both.

Cincinnati believes Mays will be the answer at safety next to Reggie Nelson. He's the only player in the projected starting 11 who didn't start a game with last year's 7th-ranked defense.

The lack of previous playing time wasn't for lack of physical ability. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Mays runs like a safety with the size of a linebacker. The mental aspect has always been the question for Mays. However, more than any of his previous two seasons in the league he feels comfortable in his understanding of the schemes instead of relying solely on his physical ability.

“I feel good on a day-to-day basis,” Mays said. “Really with the calls and doing what (defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer) wants me to do -- that was the biggest one -- playing defense the way he wanted me to play it. Even coming from spring to now I feel significantly better.”

Mays must improve his coverage if he plans to hold his starting spot. His size and speed are perfect for the run game, but against the pass if he can't slow tight ends like Tony Gonzalez up the seam then he won't last long.

“I am confident in it,” Mays said. “I know I got a lot of work to do but I'm confident I'm able to cover them. That is one of the things I am trying to work on is man-to-man skills, especially in the slot.”

Jones pining for punts: Adam Jones stated since prior to training camp he desires as much as any position on this team he wants to win the job as punt returner. Only, since he strained his calf early in camp he's been unable to step back and field them.

He stays in the ear of special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons to be sure the Bengals don't forget how much he wants that job even though he's being held out. With one or two preseason reps before the regular season opener, he'll be fine to jump right in. Remember, he came off half a season without fielding a punt and ran one back 63 yards on his first try against Seattle. 

“I know my time will come,” Jones said. “I feel very comfortable back there. As long as I stay healthy I think it will be a nice year back there at punt return.”

Green beats himself up: A.J. Green doesn't drop passes often. When he does, apparently he puts himself through the ringer about it.

Green dropped what would have been a touchdown pass in the second quarter Friday. Come Saturday, he sat in front of his iPad and watched the play “about 20 times,” from two different angles.

“I don't like to drop anything,” Green said. “Once it hits my hands I feel like I got to catch everything. It was good to get back out there yesterday and catch the balls some. Just get that out of my mind, but it's still in the back of my mind.”

A.J. and Julio: When Green come out of high school and committed to Georgia, he was dubbed as No. 1 or No. 2 on everyone's national recruiting board. Who was always one or two next to him? Atlanta's Julio Jones.

The same occurred when Jones and Green entered the NFL draft as juniors.

Jones ended up with the Falcons and Green the Bengals. Both enjoyed sensational rookie seasons and are expected to break out in Year 2. For the first time in their pro careers, they will face off Thursday at the Georgia Dome. Green is used to the comparisons to Jones and expects to keep hearing them as long as both are in the league.

“That's just how its going to be, just like Kevin Durant and LeBron (James),” Green said. “Always be that comparison somehow or some way. We are probably the two best young guys out there. We don't let it bother us, we just go out and play.”

Follow Paul Dehner Jr. for Bengals updates from training camp on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLCIN.