Bengals OTA News: Zac Taylor Updates Reason for Joe Burrow’s Absence

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said quarterback Joe Burrow’s absence from practice today was no cause for alarm and simply a planned off day that coincided with a schedule mix up.

Taylor said the team has been giving Burrow one day off each week during the voluntary offseason program.

Bengals Coach Says QB Joe Burrow’s Absence Was Planned

“I didn’t time this up great,” Taylor said after practice. “I kind of thought you guys (media) were here yesterday, so he threw yesterday. Today is his day off.”

By “day off,” Taylor meant Burrow didn’t participate in practice. He was in the building for morning meetings but left before practice.

Taylor said the reason for the scheduled off days is purely preventatitve.

“He’s been feeling really good,” Taylor said. “When players communicate they’re doing great, you push them a little too hard. So as the coach, you’ve got to pull back on some of those guys. We’ve given him a day off every week.

“Sometimes the players will push themselves because they are pro athletes, and that’s their mindset and what makes Joe so great,” Taylor added. “It’s my job as head coach to make some decisions like this. It’s been the second day off each week.”

The curious thing about that comment is the Bengals social media account has a photo of Burrow throwing on Day 2 of practice last week with “Day 2” as part of the caption.

Just another day workin'

OTAs Day 2 | @KetteringHealth pic.twitter.com/PW0uRKYOyy

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) May 30, 2024

That was Wednesday after the Bengals had Monday off for Memorial Day.

The team began this week’s practice schedule Monday, with today being Day 2 of the week.

But Taylor reiterated the timing of Burrow’s off day simply was a scheduling error on his end.

“I just assumed you guys would be here yesterday and get all the good tape you want, then lo and behold you’re not here,” he said. “That’s my fault and nobody else’s.”

Taylor said Burrow will be back at practice Wednesday.

He didn’t want to disclose if Burrow will participate in all three days of the mandatory minicamp next week because the full team schedule is fluid. In past years, Taylor has canceled the final day if the team has two strong practices on Days 1 and 2.

“There’s some flexibility with one of the mini-camp days in terms of what we’re actually going to do,” Taylor said. “I don’t want to put my foot in my mouth.”

Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase also was absent today, as has been the case throughout the entire voluntary portion of the offseason.

And wide receiver Tee Higgins also is not present, as he is not eligible to participate until he signs his franchise tag.

Offensive tackle Trent Brown, who signed with the team in March, also is not present and hasn’t been for any of the on-field practices this offseason.

Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, whom the Bengals signed in free agency in March, made his practice debut Monday and participated again today.

“He’s been back since yesterday. It’s been good to get him out here and get him acclimated with how we do everything. He’s a pro, so he’s been doing a great job away from facility, so now it’s good to get him back in here for these last couple of weeks.”