CINCINNATI – Jermaine Burton’s NFL debut could not have gotten off to a slower start.
Thought to be in contention for the No. 3 wide receiver spot in the Cincinnati Bengals‘ offense, Burton spent most of the first half of Saturday night’s preseason opener watching and wondering.
Despite the starters playing only one series, Burton didn’t get into the game until there was 3:22 left in the second quarter. And that would be his only snap of the first half.
Bengals’ Jermaine Burton Freestyles First TD Celebration
By the time the fourth quarter started, Burton had only been in for six snaps with no targets.
Head coach Zac Taylor said Burton’s lack of action had little to do with him and a lot to do with the offensive inefficiency that saw the Jake Browning-led second team produce five three-and-outs, a one-play interception, and a nine-play drive that ended in a missed field goal.
“There was zero rhythm whatsoever second quarter [until] midway through the third quarter,” Taylor said. “We weren’t focused on just getting guys in there. We were focused on getting a first down so we could get some rhythm and run the ball and call some stuff off of it.
“We were able to get him in there in the fourth quarter, and when the ball was thrown to him, he went and got it.”
When the ball was thrown to Burton, the game was on the line.
And he came up big twice.
His 37-yard touchdown from Logan Woodside gave the Bengals a 14-10 lead with 3:33 to go.
Slidin' in @NASAMAINE3
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— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 11, 2024
“It’s a standard here to make big plays, especially when your number’s called,” Burton said. “I got two great leaders (Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins) that set that standard for us and other receivers and vets around me. It’s a lot of pride when I see something like that (man coverage).”
Then, one play after Tampa Bay took a 17-14 lead, Burton hauled in a contested 38-yarder to put Cincinnati in field goal range at the Buccaneers 24-yard line.
“I just wanted to show that I’m worthy to be here and make big plays,” he said after finishing with three catches for a game-high 82 yards. “They drafted me for a reason, and I wanted to show that they didn’t make a mistake.”
Burton said the long wait to play wasn’t frustrating, but it was a challenge physically.
“I had a whole warmup before the game, and I didn’t get in the those first and second quarters, and I went in at halftime and my body got cold again like it was a long photoshoot or something,” he said. “I just stayed patient. I know it’s gonna come at some point. Instead of getting down, I just know when that time comes, I’ll be ready.”
He was ready to make plays.
He wasn’t ready to celebrate a touchdown.
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First, Burton failed to hang on to the ball. Second, he chose a rare snow angel in the summer celebration after giving the Bengals the lead.
“I had to do something,” Burton said. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t go over any celebration with anybody. I just freestyled it.”
Burton should be better prepared next week in Chicago.
And he should be better positioned to get into the game before halftime.
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