Joe Burrow’s rapid comeback from a recent calf injury has positioned him in position to start the Bengals’ season opener against the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said on Friday that the franchise quarterback will start in Week 1. This comes after Burrow practiced extensively this week, declaring himself “ready to go.”
“I expect to play,” Burrow stated earlier this week.
This announcement comes less than 24 hours after Burrow and the Bengals agreed to a historic contract deal. Burrow’s contract is for five years and $275 million, with $219.01 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid player in league history.
“This is where I want to be my entire career,” Burrow previously stated when asked about his contract situation (via Cincinnati.com).
Burrow hasn’t looked anything but a Pro Bowl quarterback since recovering from a calf injury suffered during the first week of training camp. Despite being injured for a month, Burrow has been sharp in practice and is reacquainting himself with the Bengals’ excellent receiver corps.
“I think this was a pretty excellent day for him,” Taylor remarked on Monday about Burrow’s practice, according to CLNS Media. “It was positive to see, so let’s take it one day at a time.”
Burrow’s teammates, including Taylor, have praised his performance since returning to practice last week. The Bengals’ social media crew also shared a video of Burrow hitting Ja’Marr Chase with a deep pass during practice.
Burrow is not only doing the walk, but also saying the talk when it comes to taking leadership of the huddle and aligning with his teammates.
“I think that’s what makes him brilliant,” Taylor explained. “He’s not afraid to pull somebody aside after a rep and offer them more coaching on exactly what he thinks, because that’s what matters in the end. For him to take that ownership is crucial, and it’s why we’ve had such success with him at the helm, because he’s not scared to tell these individuals how he wants things done.”
Bengals fans are hopeful that the team can avoid a start like the one it had in 2022. Following another lengthy preseason layoff for Burrow (who had an appendectomy in July), Cincinnati began 0-2 as the offense battled to find its footing. It eventually found it, and the Bengals came within one game of the Super Bowl.
Along with Burrow, the Bengals received an encouraging health update on cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, who is scheduled to face the Browns after rehabbing from a ruptured ACL suffered during a loss in Cleveland on October 31.
