The NFL is reportedly looking into the Cincinnati Bengals for possible violations related to their injury report ahead of Thursday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The team later deleted a video on X that appeared to show Joe Burrow with a soft cast on his right hand.
Burrow’s name was never on the team’s injury report.
He then left the game due to a season-ending torn ligament in his throwing wrist.
Given the rise of fantasy sports and legalized gambling, the league has taken injury reports more seriously in recent years.
However, Burrow appeared to suggest to the media on Friday that the Bengals are not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Burrow admitted to wearing a compression sleeve rather than a cast, as some had suggested, but claimed there had been no prior injury and that everything was a coincidence.
“This is something entirely different. “It’s not uncommon for guys to wear compression sleeves on a plane because things can swell up at that altitude,” Burrow explained. “You have a lot of bumps and bruises, football.”
“This is a completely new injury.”
Burrow was replaced in the game by Jake Browning. He completed 8 of 14 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Cincinnati was defeated 34-20.
“It’s difficult. You put in so much effort for seasons and moments like these. So, when you get hurt and have to leave early, it’s difficult to deal with, but that’s part of the game. I’ve previously visited this location. “You just have to grind it out,” Burrow said.
“I tried to do it but couldn’t get it done.” I obviously got the news today, so that’s not good.”
When the season began in September, the Bengals made Burrow the highest-paid player in NFL history by signing him to a five-year, $275 million contract, with $219.5 million guaranteed.
Burrow missed the majority of training camp due to a calf strain. Prior to the wrist injury, he threw for 2,309 yards on 66.8% passing with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in ten games.
