The Cincinnati Bengals are running out of time to figure it out. The Bengals got off to a torrid 2-0 start to the season, but things took an immediate downturn after that, as star quarterback Joe Burrow was sidelined with a turf toe injury.
After Jake Browning struggled immensely in place of Burrow, forcing Cincinnati to make a trade with the Cleveland Browns to acquire veteran Joe Flacco. Flacco immediately improved the offense, but after some defensive struggles, the Bengals are just 3-6 heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cincinnati got a major boost on Monday, as Burrow practiced for the first time since suffering the injury.
“Bengals QB Joe Burrow will return to practice today,” reported ESPN’s senior NFL insider Adam Schefter.
After getting back on the field, Burrow spoke with the media and was blunt in regard to Cincinnati’s narrow path to the playoffs.
“Bengals QB Joe Burrow on if they are a playoff team: ‘Our division is wide-open. We play Pittsburgh this week. Everything is in front of us. It’s very rare our division looks like this, but it does this year.’
“Burrow says the only realistic path for them is winning the division,” reported Ari Meirov.
Unfortunately, the Bengals will have to put themselves in a position to win the division without Burrow, at least for the time being, as it’s been confirmed that he won’t be playing against the Steelers.
“Joe Burrow takeaways from Monday: * Will not play Sunday vs. Pittsburgh * Will have a special instrument in his left shoe to support the toe. ‘I have to have a lot of hardware in there to protect it.’ * Burrow took first-team reps Monday with Jake Browning. Sean Clifford also threw during individual work. Joe Flacco (in attendance) only QB not to throw,” reported Mike Petraglia.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Reading between the lines, it felt like he implied that if the Bengals aren’t in a position to challenge for the playoffs, then he won’t be back this season. Huge motivation for the team heading into the Steelers game,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“The splinting of the toe and special hardware at this point has him still on track for a return of 5-6 months. This man is trying to come back in a few weeks and if somebody doesn’t stop him he will likely ruin his career and for what?” another fan added.
“I guess the real path to the playoffs is just hoping everyone else trips over their own feet,” one fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see how Cincinnati does until Burrow can return.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.