The outlook on the Cincinnati Bengals‘ season changed in the blink of an eye in Week 11.
All season long, the Bengals have widely been viewed as one of the top contenders in a loaded AFC playoff field with Joe Burrow at the helm.
Fast forward to the current day, and the fact that Burrow has been injured changes everything. What was once supposed to be a promising season changed completely in one moment.
Let’s take a closer look at the Burrow injury and the latest information surrounding his timeline for return.
What Is Joe Burrow’s Timeline To Return?
While facing the Baltimore Ravens last week, Burrow was knocked out of the game with a wrist injury, and not long after it was announced he was expected to miss the rest of the season with what was subsequently identified as a torn ligament.
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The long-term prognosis for Burrow is bright, as the expectation is that he will be ready to go next season with no carryover effects. While that is good news for down the road, the injury is a tough pill to swallow for the 2023 season.
How Long Has Burrow Been Out?
Burrow was knocked out early in the Bengals’ previous game against the Ravens, and this week’s matchup against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers marks the first full game for the Bengals without Burrow’s services.
What Does This Mean for the Cincinnati Bengals’ Offense?
In the short term, the Bengals’ offense is expected to struggle. There is simply no easy way to replace one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The season has now gotten much more difficult than anyone expected, as they now hand over the reins of the offense to inexperienced quarterback Jake Browning.
With an offense that still boasts an assortment of weapons such as Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, the Bengals still have pieces in place to help Browning succeed. In addition to those pass catchers, a young quarterback’s best friend is a steady running game, and starting running back Joe Mixon can help provide that.
Beyond 2023, the Bengals should be fine as Burrow returns to full health.
However, in the NFL, the feeling that you’re squandering a season of championship opportunity is a very tough pill to swallow. While anything can happen between now and Super Bowl Sunday, this is a situation the Bengals certainly wish they were not in.
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