After being sidelined for the bulk of training camp with a calf injury, Joe Burrow is “on track” to start Sunday’s season-opening game against the Cleveland Browns, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor provided an update on Wednesday, stating that Burrow was expected to practice “in full.”
The quarterback himself made it clear as well:
Joe Burrow: “I’m ready to go.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2023
Previous updates: The Cincinnati Bengals, and their fans, are hoping for good news on Thursday after receiving a bit of a scare. During Thursday’s training camp practice, quarterback Joe Burrow pulled up on a play after moving out of the pocket, and seemed to favor his right leg before going to the turf.
After medical staff checked on the Cincinnati passer, he was carted off the field.
You can see video of the play, as well as him being carted off the field, here:
Perhaps the most concerning element of this injury is that it happens in a non-contact fashion, with Burrow rolling out to his right after escaping from a collapsing pocket.
After practice ended, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that it was a calf injury for Burrow and that they’ll know information soon.
The Bengals are hoping to make another trip to the Super Bowl after falling short in the AFC Championship game a season ago. To make that kind of run, they’ll need a healthy Burrow in the fold.
Taylor specifically told reporters that it was a calf strain, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. However, his timeframe is still unknown.
#Bengals coach Zac Taylor tells reporters that QB Joe Burrow suffered a calf strain — which is much better news than several alternatives. Have to imagine this takes him off the field for the preseason. TBD on a timeframe.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2023
Bengals QB Joe Burrow has a calf strain, source said. Head coach Zac Taylor called it a calf injury earlier today. Timeline for return is unclear right now considering the type of injury it is.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) July 27, 2023
Hopefully Burrow and the Bengals get some good news in the days ahead.