INDIANAPOLIS – Joe Burrow’s injured right knee will not need surgery, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor said at the 2022 NFL Combine here Tuesday. Instead, rest will be Burrow’s rehab plan for the injury he suffered during Super Bowl 56.
“For C.J. [Uzomah] and Joe, rest is the best thing for them,” Taylor said. “Again, just not being on it, running around and playing football. … Rest is really the best thing for them right now.”
Joe Burrow injury update
Burrow’s injury occurred when his knee got twisted on a sack by Von Miller and Justin Hollins early in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 56. Burrow was sacked 7 times in that game – and 19 times total in the postseason. The sheer volume of hits was dangerous and nearly resulted in a serious injury.
Nonetheless, Burrow enters his second straight NFL offseason rehabbing a knee injury that was the result of poor pass protection. In 2020, he tore his left ACL and needed reconstructive surgery. Burrow not only made a full recovery but won the AP Comeback Player of the Year award and reached the Super Bowl in just his second season as a pro.
The Bengals’ top priority this offseason is to make sure the hits go way down in Year 3. They are widely expected to use a big chunk of their salary-cap space and the 31st overall pick on offensive linemen.
Zac Taylor on how Super Bowl appearance changed his life
Taylor is at the Combine for the third time. For the first time, there are few if any questions about his ability as a coach. Taylor was on the hot seat after going 6-25-1 in his first two seasons. Now, he’s an AFC champion.
So how has his life changed in the last 12 months?
“It hasn’t changed at all. Things that are important to me are still as important as they were 12 months ago. Just making sure the family is happy. We enjoy living in Cincinnati. We’ve got a team that we like to be a part of and enjoy walking in the building every single day. I didn’t change. Sept. 1, this season, I was looking forward to walking in the building and doing all the things.
“The pressure and all of that, that’s just media talk for headlines to be written. We’re in this profession because we love the pressure. In a sick way, that motivates us. We like the criticism and people that doubt you. When you’re not good enough to keep playing, you jump into coaching so you can in some sick way to keep that up.”