A nagging injury gave Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow some trouble early in the season, and just when it appeared he had found his rhythm again, another ailment knocked him out for the remainder of the season.
Burrow suffered the injury in the Bengals’ 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and has been sidelined ever since.
What Happened to Joe Burrow?
Burrow reacted in obvious pain during the game immediately after releasing a pass that ultimately went for a four-yard touchdown to RB Joe Mixon in the second quarter of the game. He was hit in the elbow by the Ravens’ EDGE Jadeveon Clowney on a pass play before the touchdown, and he also landed on his right hand as they went to the ground.
The Bengals’ signal-caller spent a short stint in the blue injury tent before coming out and attempting a pair of passes — he remained in obvious pain before shutting it down and jogging off to the locker room. He was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
The injury was later revealed to be a torn ligament in Burrow’s wrist, which Cincinnati HC Zac Taylor said likely occurred when Clowney hit the QB.
“I felt a pop in the middle of the throw,” Burrow said. “I tried to give it a go but couldn’t get it done and got the news today. I had a feeling before we got the official news [of the injury’s severity].”
Burrow finished the game 11-of-17 for 101 yards and one touchdown and wrapped up the season with a career-low 2,309 passing yards for 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Some controversy later emerged as to whether Burrow’s wrist had previously been injured coming into the game after footage emerged showing him wearing a brace on the hand before the game. Taylor said it was entirely unrelated to Burrow’s injury, while Burrow himself said he was wearing a compression sleeve that he routinely uses on flights to prevent swelling at altitude.
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ESPN later reported that the NFL was investigating why Burrow had not been listed on Cincinnati’s injury report that week.
Even with the various injuries Burrow has dealt with this season, Taylor expressed confidence in his ability to return to form once he can get back out on the field.
“He’s programmed differently,” Taylor said. “That’s why we’re fortunate to have him. That’s why he’s achieved all the things in his lifetime he has because he’s able to overcome setbacks and challenges and plays with a chip on his shoulder.”
Backup QB Jake Browning has since stepped in as Cincinnati’s starting quarterback, putting together solid performances each of the last two weeks to help the Bengals earn a pair of wins and remain well within the AFC playoff race.
He will look to keep that rolling Saturday in a key clash with the Minnesota Vikings.
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