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It has been quite the sophomore campaign for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year candidate Joe Burrow. After suffering a horrific knee injury that required surgery in his rookie season, the 2020 No. 1 draft pick has come out guns blazing in year two.
The Bengals were just 2-7 in Burrow’s 10 starts last season before his season came to an abrupt end against the Washington Football Team. However, this year in 16 starters they are 10-6 and won the AFC North division and locked up their spot in the playoffs.
Burrow improved his completion percentage from 65.3% to 70.4% this year. He has 4,611 yards passing and 34 touchdowns. His interception total was a bit troublesome, but the Cincinnati Bengals were able to overcome the 14 interceptions. The next matchup for the team against their in-state foes won’t have him under center.
According to Ben Baby, Burrow won’t play this weekend and it will allow his injured knee to heal. The former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback hurt it on the final drive against the Kansas City Chiefs in their win.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow said he does not expect to play this Sunday vs. Cleveland.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) January 5, 2022
The game between these two Ohio teams won’t have either quarterback with Burrow sitting and Baker Mayfield needing season-ending surgery. Burrow did mention that not playing this weekend would give him time to heal and he provided an injury update.
“Any time you can get a little break at this point in the season … bodies are starting to wear down a little bit. Rest me this week so I can get back to full strength running around the way I need to be the first round of the playoffs.” – Burrow via Paul Dehner Jr (The Athletic)
With the regular season over for Burrow, he can rest up and get ready for the wildcard matchup next week.
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