The Cincinnati Bengals open the 2023 season against the rival Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Based on what head coach Zac Taylor said on Wednesday, it sure sounds like Joe Burrow is expected to be in attendance. The embattled quarterback dealt with a calf injury through training camp and the preseason. However, the former No. 1 overall pick took a massive step toward re-emerging as the Bengals starter.
Taylor told the media that Burrow would fully participate in practice on Wednesday. The move signals that the former LSU Tigers star is on track to play against the Browns this Sunday. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the news.
“Bengals’ HC Zac Taylor said Joe Burrow is expected to practice in full today. This puts him on track to start Sunday’s game vs. the Browns,” Schefter posted.
Bengals’ HC Zac Taylor said Joe Burrow is expected to practice in full today. This puts him on track to start Sunday’s game vs. the Browns.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2023
Burrow’s presence on the Bengals can’t be understated to this point. He’s helped to transform the franchise after years of being a cellar-dweller. The Bengals made the AFC Championship Game in the last two consecutive years, the first time in franchise history that they’ve strung together back-to-back title game appearances. They came awfully close to capturing their elusive first Super Bowl two seasons ago, and they’ll need everything they can out of Joe and others to get there.
So the fact that it seems like the former top overall pick won’t miss any time is relieving for Bengal fans.
The NFL world had plenty to say after the news on Joe Burrow broke.
— Dylan Powell (@PowellAnalytics) September 6, 2023
Never doubted @JoeyB playing Week 1, but game plan likely to protect his calf from aggravation. https://t.co/HHnUDh5b13
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) September 6, 2023
Never a doubt. https://t.co/2fXxcDfoNA
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) September 6, 2023
Yessir. The news we all expected but still nice to see it. https://t.co/PdEED1bm6m
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 6, 2023
Now we go. https://t.co/lwVixOmhU2
— Detective Derry (@DerryMoves) September 6, 2023