[jwplayer 9ABjQwGb-ThvAeFxT]
The Cincinnati Bengals (2-7-1) face the New York Giants (3-7) this week but will be without their star rookie quarterback, Joe Burrow, for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Burrow went down in last week’s 20-9 loss in Washington and was carted off the field and the initial diagnosis was a torn ACL with Burrow. He was expected to rehab and return in 2021.
Not so fast.
Upon father examination, Burrow’s injury is a bit more severe and complex than originally thought.
An MRI showed Burrow tore his ACL and MCL and suffered other structural issues, sources said. Bengals coach Zac Taylor would not confirm the extent of the knee damage but said that Burrow will be out for the remainder of the 2020 season.
Knee injuries of this nature usually sideline players anywhere from nine to 12 months, though each player heals and rehabs differently. But Burrow’s status for the start of next season is now in question. Taylor declined to clarify when asked if he believed Burrow will be ready for the start of the 2021 season.
Burrow, the first player selected in this year’s NFL Draft out of National Champion LSU, was having a banner rookie season before the injury. He was second in the NFL in pass attempts (404) and pass completions (264), fifth in lowest percentage of passes intercepted (1.2) and 10th in passing yards (2688).
After eight games, Burrow was on pace to break Andrew Luck’s rookie record for most passing yards (4,374), set in 2012.
The prized rookie achieved all of that in the face of poor pass protection by the Bengals’ offensive line. Burrow was sacked 32 times this season, third-most in the NFL.
Brandon Allen will now take over at quarterback for Cincinnati.
[lawrence-related id=660086,660101,660084]