The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the powerhouses of the NFL over the last handful of years. The addition of Joe Burrow in the 2020 NFL Draft is certainly the largest reason why that’s the case, as he is the only active quarterback to have beaten Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs. Burrow and the Bengals nearly knocked off Mahomes and the Chiefs in consecutive years in the AFC Championship Game, but came up just short during the 2022 season.
The former No. 1 overall pick is coming off a season-ending wrist injury on his throwing arm, which ties into Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports’ biggest question about the Bengals - is Joe Burrow healthy?
“Yes, the Bengals have questions relative to their roster, but none of those questions matter if their franchise quarterback isn't healthy,” DeArdo wrote. “Burrow took part in Bengals spring practices roughly six months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his throwing hand. Given his participation in spring practices, it appears that Burrow should be ready to resume his promising career, despite the uniqueness of the injury (Burrow himself said that he doesn't know any other quarterbacks who sustained a similar injury). But questions will continue to persist until we see Burrow in action during camp.”
Last season was the second time Burrow suffered a season-ending injury. He tore his ACL as a rookie in 2020, but came back in 2021 and led the Bengals to the Super Bowl. Could we see history repeat itself in 2024?