The Cincinnati Bengals recently had a scare at training camp when their franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow, went down with a non-contact injury. During Thursday’s practice, Burrow was carted off the field after grabbing at his lower leg. Head coach Zac Taylor later confirmed that Burrow suffered a strained calf.
It is still unclear how long Joe Burrow will be out, but Taylor indicated on Friday that it could be several weeks. In the meantime, the team will be looking to add another quarterback to their roster. Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning are the two healthy passers currently on the team, and they will rotate by day until a new quarterback is signed. The team recently worked out former XFL quarterbacks Reid Sinnett and Drew Plitt, and it is expected that they will sign Sinnett.
The injury occurred as Burrow was scrambling out of the pocket during practice. Despite the seriousness of the injury, Burrow’s wide receiver and good friend Ja’Marr Chase expressed confidence in his recovery. Chase mentioned that he received a nod from Burrow, which made him believe that his quarterback will be alright.
Head coach Taylor also confirmed that Burrow was wearing a sleeve on his injured leg, which is not something he usually wears. However, Taylor remains calm and confident in Burrow’s ability to recover. He understands that injuries are a part of football, especially during training camp.
Burrow’s absence could have a significant impact on the Bengals’ season. As one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, he has been instrumental in leading the team to consecutive AFC Championship game appearances. In the 2020 season, Burrow tied for second in the NFL in passing touchdowns, ranked fifth in completions, passing yards, and sixth in passer rating. Over the last two seasons, Burrow leads the NFL in passer rating and ranks third in touchdown passes.
To put into perspective the impact of Joe Burrow’s absence, SportsLine Data Scientist Stephen Oh analyzed the numbers. If Joe Burrow were to miss the entire season, the Bengals’ chances of success would significantly decrease. Their win percentage, playoff chances, and division standings would all take a hit. Burrow’s presence on the field has elevated the Bengals to Super Bowl contenders, and without him, the team’s prospects diminish significantly.
Fortunately, the Bengals are hopeful that Joe Burrow’s recovery will be relatively quick. Once he recovers from the strained calf, he should be back on the field leading the team towards their Super Bowl aspirations. In the meantime, the team will focus on finding a temporary replacement to fill Burrow’s shoes.
In conclusion, the Cincinnati Bengals faced a scare at training camp when their quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a strained calf injury. While the extent of his absence is still unknown, the team remains confident in his recovery. Burrow’s presence on the field has been crucial to the team’s success, and without him, their chances of winning a Super Bowl diminish significantly. However, once Burrow is back in action, the Bengals will continue their pursuit of a championship.
