Cincinnati Bengals Practice and Injury Update: Joe Burrow Upgraded, But Will He Play?

So you’re saying there’s a chance.

One day after all the tea leaves suggested Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was a longshot to play Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams, the sun came up in Cincinnati, and Burrow put on shoulder pads and threw passes at practice.

What Are Joe Burrow’s Chances of Playing Monday Night?

Listed as the team’s only non-participant in Thursday’s practice with the calf injury he tweaked in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Ravens, Burrow was throwing passes with dropbacks at full velocity during position drills before the media viewing period ended.

Burrow coming out in shoulder pads pic.twitter.com/3FD2iaXouT

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 22, 2023

The Bengals listed him as “limited” on the official practice report.

Asked after practice Thursday if he would need to be a full participant today or Saturday in order to play, Burrow said that wouldn’t be a requirement.

“I wouldn’t say that’s the case,” he said. “I feel good about where I’m at, and I feel good about the progress I’ve made. I wouldn’t say that needs to happen.”

While Burrow participating in any fashion was an encouraging sign, there was one unusual scene. During team stretch, Burrow got on team owner and president Mike Brown’s golf cart and went for a spin around the field with him.

During team stretches today—#Bengals Owner Mike Brown:

Drove his golf cart to Joe Burrow.
Picked him up.
Had a conversation.
Drove a circle.
Then dropped Joe back off, so he could finish stretching.@WCPO pic.twitter.com/c5ieasEsaF

— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) September 22, 2023

After taking his throws in position drills, Burrow walked over and had a conversation with head coach Zac Taylor, then jogged to the adjacent field for the next drill, which was when the media viewing period ended.

In other injury news, safeties Nick Scott (concussion) was upgraded from limited Thursday to full today and is optimistic he can play against his former team.

MORE: Patriots Raid Bengals Roster for Key Burrow Contingency Plan

Safety Tycen Anderson (calf) was also upgraded to full, and defensive end Joseph Ossai went full for the second day in a row, meaning all signs point to him being able to make his season debut Monday night.

On the negative side of the practice report were a couple of surprise additions, with tight end Irv Smith Jr. (hamstring) and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee) listed as limited.