Recurring Calf Issue for Joe Burrow Spells Concern for Winless Bengals

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Joe Burrow is experiencing calf discomfort once more, signaling that the Bengals’ current 0-2 record may diverge from their performance last season.

In 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals had a sluggish start, losing their initial two games. However, the team found its stride with Burrow at the helm, finishing the season at 12-4 and capturing the AFC North title.

The present year has proven to be even more challenging. Burrow was absent from training camp due to a calf injury and subsequently signed a $275 million contract before the season’s commencement, making him the highest-earning NFL player in terms of average annual salary. Despite this, he underperformed in the season-opener against the Cleveland Browns.

On Sunday, in a narrow 27-24 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens, Burrow showed improvement but exited the game in the late stages of the fourth quarter, visibly attending to his calf on the sideline. While he indicated the possibility of returning to the game had there been another opportunity, uncertainty looms over his condition in the days ahead.

“The calf is significantly sore,” stated Burrow. “Its future status remains unpredictable, and we will assess it over the coming days.”

Further complicating matters for Cincinnati is the fact that their two losses this season are against AFC North adversaries, placing them at a disadvantage as they prepare for a Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. In contrast, only one of their first two games last season was against a divisional rival.

Cincinnati will play seven games before they face another division opponent, scheduled for November 16 against Baltimore.

The team’s first offensive touchdown of the season was not achieved until the latter part of the third quarter. The offense did manage to add another score in the final quarter, showing signs of revival.

“When a quarterback is absent from training camp, achieving a strong start becomes increasingly challenging,” acknowledged Burrow.

Though sacked only once, Burrow’s offensive line showed considerable improvement over their previous performance against Cleveland.

“Burrow performed exceedingly well,” commented head coach Zac Taylor. “His protection was outstanding, and it felt like the offense was gaining momentum.”

Despite these positive signs, Burrow threw an interception within the red zone during the Bengals’ first possession of the second half.

“We effectively moved the ball throughout the game,” Burrow noted. “While we executed well in the first half and gained traction in the second, that red-zone turnover became pivotal.”

Burrow completed 27 out of 41 passes for a total of 222 yards. Remarkably, 219 of the Bengals’ 282 total offensive yards were accumulated after halftime.

Historically, NFL teams with an 0-2 start face a steep climb to secure a playoff spot, let alone achieve the kind of AFC championship run that Cincinnati experienced last year.

“Despite the challenging start, the 17-game season offers ample opportunity for recovery,” Taylor said optimistically. “We will make necessary adjustments and proceed accordingly.”

Burrow himself remains unflinchingly optimistic. “We need to focus on excellent practice sessions and build from there,” he said. “Being 0-2 is not ideal, but we’ve overcome similar odds before. We are resilient and will make a comeback.”

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Source: AP NFL: https://bigbignews.net/nfl

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• Interview with Coach Zac Taylor on Team Outlook
• Historical Data on NFL Injuries and Their Impact on Team Performance
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