Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s availability for Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams remains uncertain as he continues to deal with a calf injury. Burrow aggravated the injury in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, raising questions about his status for the upcoming game.
According to NFL Media, Burrow will be a game-time decision, and the Bengals have officially listed him as questionable to play. However, there are positive signs as Burrow took first-team reps during the team’s walkthrough on Sunday. This development suggests that he has a better chance of playing than he did a few days ago.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has stated that if Burrow doesn’t start, it would be doubtful that he would be active for the game. In that case, backup quarterback Jake Browning would get the starting nod.
Burrow’s initial calf injury caused him to miss a significant portion of training camp, and he was visibly in pain and limping towards the end of the Bengals’ home loss on Sunday. The team’s slow start to the season, with a 0-2 record, has prompted some within the organization to express concern about Burrow’s health. There are those who believe he should fully recover from his calf injury before returning to action, while others are eager to see their star quarterback play to enhance the team’s chances of making the playoffs.
As for Burrow himself, he has not provided a definitive answer regarding his availability. He stated earlier in the week that he is feeling better and less sore, emphasizing the healing power of time. However, he did not practice on Thursday and was only a limited participant on Friday and Saturday.
Teammates have also weighed in on the situation, but their insights provide varying perspectives. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase expressed a firm stance, indicating that Burrow should only play if he is fully healthy. Chase even doubts that Burrow is at 100 percent and believes the quarterback should heed his advice. On the other hand, wide receiver Tyler Boyd predicts that Burrow will play, praising his ability to perform even when injured. Boyd acknowledges the importance of having a fully healthy quarterback but is confident in backup Jake Browning’s ability to lead the team if necessary.
Through the first two games of the season, Burrow has struggled to replicate his previous performances, accumulating 304 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a completion percentage of 56.9 percent.
Considering the significance of the Monday night game and the uncertainty surrounding Burrow’s availability, the Bengals are facing a challenging situation. Whether Burrow ultimately takes the field or not, the team must cope with the adversity of their winless start to the season and find a way to turn things around.