The Cincinnati Bengals’ have been dealt a severe blow with the news that starting quarterback Joe Burrow will undergo surgery and miss several months of action. Burrow suffered a major injury in last Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving the team’s offense in disarray.
According to sources close to the team, Burrow’s injury is a torn ACL, which will require surgery and an extended period of rehabilitation. The typical recovery time for such an injury is 6-9 months, putting Burrow’s availability for the remainder of the season in serious jeopardy.
“Joe is a warrior, and we’re all heartbroken for him,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. “He’s the leader of our team, and his absence will be felt. But we have to move forward and find ways to win without him.”
Burrow’s injury occurred in the third quarter of Sunday’s game when he was sacked by Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt. The quarterback was seen clutching his knee in agony before being helped off the field.
The Bengals’ medical staff initially diagnosed the injury as a sprain, but further testing revealed the severity of the damage. Burrow will undergo surgery in the coming days, and the team will begin making contingency plans for his absence.
Backup quarterback Brandon Allen is expected to take over as the starter, with Ryan Finley serving as the primary backup. The team may also explore free agent options or make a trade to bolster their quarterback depth.
“Brandon has been preparing for this moment, and we have confidence in him,” Taylor said. “We’ll also look at other options to ensure we have the best possible chance to win.”
Burrow’s injury is a devastating blow to a Bengals team that had high hopes for the 2023 season. The second-year quarterback was having an MVP-caliber season, leading the team to several comeback victories and establishing himself as one of the league’s top young signal-callers.
His absence will put additional pressure on the team’s running game and defense, which will need to step up to compensate for the loss of their star quarterback.
“We’ll rally around each other and find a way to win,” said wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. “Joe would want us to keep fighting, and that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
The Bengals face a tough schedule in the coming weeks, with games against the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tennessee Titans. Without Burrow, the team’s chances of winning these games are significantly reduced.
However, the Bengals are a resilient team, and they will look to draw inspiration from their quarterback’s toughness and determination.
“Joe will be back stronger than ever,” Taylor said. “And in the meantime, we’ll keep fighting and find ways to win without him.”
The news of Burrow’s injury has sent shockwaves throughout the NFL, with fans and players alike offering their support and well-wishes to the young quarterback.
“Prayers up for Joe Burrow,” tweeted Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. “Tough break for a great player.”
As Burrow begins his long journey to recovery, the Bengals will need to find a way to keep their season alive without him. It won’t be easy, but the team is determined to make the most of a difficult situation.
