Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow ready for full contact
Head Coach Zac Taylor confirms at the team's media day
CINCINNATI, OH. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Joe Burrow’s injury woes have subsided as the Cincinnati Bengals are days away from their preseason practices.
The quarterback is cleared for full contact practice and game action after an offseason recovering from a wrist injury.
Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow
“He feels great and ready to go,” said Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor.
For Burrow, his clean bill of health has been a long time coming.
An Unhealthy History
Burrow has struggled with injuries since he turned professional in 2020.
Last season was especially difficult for the former LSU and Ohio State signal caller as he sustained a right calf injury during training camp. That injury carried into the season.
Burrow tweaked the injury during a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week Two, but played the next week versus the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. He went on to play in ten games in 2023.
But, another loss to the Raven in Week 10 saw Burrow sidelined for the remainder of the season. Torn ligaments in his wrist were the ends of an already stagnant season for the first choice quarterback.
Burrow finished the campaign with just over 2,300 passing yards, the 20th best quarterback rating in the league, but did throw for 15 touchdowns.
Back in the Huddle
Burrow may be back in the huddle, but it’s Taylor who says it’s also his job to help his star’s progress.
Built in off days given to Burrow by his head coach during training camp are a part of careful pacing.
“I think part of my responsibilities as head coach is early on in training camp for a lot of veteran guys having a great plan in place to be proactive,” said Taylor, when he was asked about more rest days for his quarterback.
Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor
As for playing in the preseason with the starters, Taylor revealed that Burrow has wanted to play with his number one unit for years.
Now he has the chance and the green light.
“The opportunity really hasn’t come up for us to be able to do that. I hate speaking for him, but I feel like he’s in favor of it,” said Taylor. “I think for all of our starters we would’ve done that last year. We’ll let the first two weeks of practice dictate how much, when and how we want it to look.”
