What would normally be considered a routine offseason workout for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals instead marked a significant milestone for the star quarterback who took to the field for his first outdoor team practice since his season-ending wrist injury last November.
“This was a difficult injury,” Burrow said of his setback. “It’s been a tough several months, but physically it’s not the worst injury that I’ve had. I’ve been through much tougher things physically and so that’s been a positive.”
Burrow’s injury history includes tearing multiple ligaments in his left knee, including the ACL, during his rookie year in 2020. Despite the injury, he managed to lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl the following season.
Reflecting on his recovery process, Burrow likened his wrist injury to his knee injury, suggesting a similar timeline for returning to normalcy.
“Fortunately, that coincides with the beginning of training camp start of the season,” he said optimistically.
During the rehabilitation process, Burrow admitted to feeling somewhat isolated due to the uniqueness of his injury.
“The guys that I have talked to have been offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebackers that didn’t have to have that wrist mobility and the little intricacies of the wrist movement like I do,” he explained.
However, Burrow praised the Bengals training staff for their support, saying the rehab has been “lights out.” He also expressed confidence in his ability to regain full strength and motion in his wrist.
Despite missing key targets like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins during voluntary workouts, Burrow has been active on the field, working closely with tight ends and wide receivers.
Teammate Trenton Irwin noted that Burrow’s throwing velocity hasn’t diminished despite the surgery, describing it as “great.”
Burrow, who signed a lucrative contract extension last offseason, believes he is nearly cleared for full activity, with only full contact remaining to be approved, which could happen next month.
While he declined to comment on whether the wrist was still causing pain during throws, he emphasized his satisfaction with the progress and readiness to focus on football.
“I think most of those points are behind us,” Burrow said confidently. “We’re kind of at the end of the six to seven months that this is going to take, and so at this point, it’s just about getting ready to play football and it’ll continue to get better.”
The Bengals are in a very interesting position as we head into the new season.
Burrow’s season-ending injury effectively torpedoed Cincinnati’s chances in 2023. However, him coming back healthy also marks the return of the Bengals as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
After all, they’ve proven to be a true kryptonite to the Kansas City Chiefs.
But to truly get back to the contending level that they were once at, it would certainly help to have all hands on deck.
This is why the ongoing drama surrounding the contract situations of Higgins and pass rusher Trey Hendrickson are a little concerning.
Neither are happy with their current deals and have requested to be traded.
Burrow, known as a fiercely loyal teammate, made it clear that he had both of their backs as rumors and uncertainty continue to swirl.
“Those guys have their business they need to take care of. I support them in every way,” Burrow said. “Both those guys have earned everything that has come to them and more. I’ll support them all the way through it. Whatever they feel like is best for their career. That’s for them and their agents and their families to decide.
“But we are here to win football games. I really hope both those guys are here next year because we are a better football team with both of them. They are both great locker room guys, too.
“They are going to do what they’ve got to do, but when the time comes for them to come back, if that time comes, we are going to welcome them back and hit our stride,” he concluded.
Despite his trade request, Higgins admitted that he expected to remain with the Bengals this coming season.
Meanwhile, Hendrickson is seeking more stability and guaranteed money in his deal … He currently has non-guaranteed salaries of $14.8 million and $15.8 million over the next two seasons.
What do you think ends up happening with both Higgins and Hendrickson?
Do the Bengals need them both to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders?
As far as Burrow, do you expect him to pick right back up where he left off prior to the injury?
Where do you rank him among the top quarterbacks in the NFL???