The Cincinnati Bengals announced Thursday that cornerback Leon Hall is the team’s 2012 recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award for his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the middle of last season.

“It means a lot,” Hall said when asked about the award. “I didn’t really think it was going to mean that much to me when we were doing the vote. Just knowing I’ve got respect from my peers on this team, which really matters at the end of the day, is pretty big to me.”

Hall suffered the injury Nov. 9, 2011, in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the severity of the tear led Bengals trainer Paul Sparling to project that Hall would begin the 2012 season on the physically unable to perform list.

But Hall, a sixth-year veteran from the University of Michigan, underwent intense rehabilitation that enabled him to be cleared for practice the first day of training camp in July. He missed the third and fourth games of the season with an unrelated hamstring calf strain, but Hall has started the other 12 games and ranks second on the team with 10 passes defended. He also has 38 tackles and one interception for the league’s No. 6-ranked defense.

“Leon approached the rehabilitation from his Achilles tendon injury last season with determination to beat the odds and return to play by the start of the season,” Sparling said. “He put forth the effort, time and energy in his recovery and rehabilitation to give himself the best chance to do just that.

“He set a great example of what it takes to be able to overcome a challenge, which was recognized by his teammates in being selected to represent the club for this award.”

Injury update

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday with an illness, but cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick was not on the field.

On Wednesday Kirkpatrick took part in his first meaningful practice since a concussion in San Diego on Dec. 2. But Thursday afternoon he Tweeted, “Trying to fight it but I can’t”.

Offensive tackle Andre Smith surfaced on the injury report with a foot injury that had him limited in practice. More should be known about the injury today.

Kicker Mike Nugent also missed practice, and special teams coach Darrin Simmons expects a game-time decision Sunday in Pittsburgh as to whether the team will go with Nugent or Josh Brown, who has made all six of his field goal tries in Nugent’s absence.

Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth (concussion) was a full participant after being limited Wednesday, and defensive end Carlos Dunlap returned after missing Wednesday with an illness.

Running back Cedric Peerman (ankle) was limited for a second consecutive day.

Fan favorite

A.J. Green finished first among AFC wide receivers in Pro Bowl fan voting, which ended Monday night at the conclusion of the Jets-Titans game.

Players and coaches cast their ballots Thursday, and the Pro Bowl teams will be announced Wednesday night at 7 on NFL Network.

Green collected 676,607 votes to finish seventh overall. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning was the top vote getter with 993,045, while Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson led the NFC with 828,225.

PULSE picks

Linebacker Vinny Rey and defensive end Michael Johnson have been selected as the Cincinnati Bengals winners of the NFLPA’s annual PULSE Award for outstanding work in the community.

The PULSE winners from each team are finalists for the Bryon “Whizzer” White Award, which the NFLPA says is the highest honor it can bestow on a player. The award was established by the professional football players of America to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to one of their own, Supreme Court Justice Byron Raymond “Whizzer” White, who was known as a scholar, athlete, patriot, humanitarian and public servant.