What Is Joe Burrow’s Practice Status as the Cincinnati Bengals Prepare for Cleveland?

Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie dropped to a knee in prayer, and Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town” blared from the speakers Wednesday as the Cincinnati Bengals officially began their game prep for Sunday’s season opener in Cleveland.

Quarterback Joe Burrow stretched with a resistance band wrapped around both legs before taking some snaps and warming up his arm.

Bengals News: Joe Burrow Injury Update

Prior to practice, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor anticipated Burrow would be listed as a full participant when the injury report comes out later this afternoon, and he was.

“That’s the expectation,” he said. “He looks good. I think it’s wise to take it day to day right now.”

And so Browns week (officially) begins pic.twitter.com/XqBBzbAj6O

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 6, 2023

Taylor said Burrow, who on Thursday will be six weeks removed from his calf strain, has given the coaching and training staff feedback on how he’s felt after each of his three previous practices — Wednesday and Thursday of last week, then on Monday.

But if there was any lingering doubt about whether Burrow would play Sunday, a couple of Taylor’s ensuing answers should have erased them.

An appropriate song from Thin Lizzy to kick off practice today. pic.twitter.com/lhI2RYs4Tc

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 6, 2023

First, Taylor was asked what Burrow has said about his calf in those conversations.

“We talk way more about Cleveland than we talk about any of this,” he said. “I think it’s on y’all’s minds. But for us, it’s focusing on the game plan, and those are 99.9 percent of our conversations.”

Later, Taylor was asked if he could go into the Browns game asking Burrow to limit how much he tries to scramble or run.

“You’ve got to let him go,” Taylor said. “You just gotta go play the game.”

As for the rest of the team, defensive end Joseph Ossai was the only player among the 53 on the active roster and 16 on the practice squad who wasn’t practicing. Ossai was on the rehab field as he continues to work through a right ankle injury he suffered in the preseason finale, and Taylor has labeled him as “day to day.”

Tackle La’el Collins was also on the rehab field. He’s still rehabbing his left knee after tearing his ACL on Dec. 24 and is on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which means he’s prohibited from practicing until Week 5 at the earliest.

UPDATE: In addition to Burrow, wide receiver Tyler Boyd (toe) and offensive tackle D’Ante Smith (shoulder) were listed as full participants on the practice report. Boyd missed a practice last week due to the toe but was back to work Monday. Smith suffered the left shoulder injury in the presesaon finale at Washington on Aug. 26.