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Joe Burrow expected to play vs Rams on Monday Night Football

ProfilePhotoby: Nick Geddes09/25/23NickGeddesNews
Joe Burrow
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to suit up and play in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams (1-1) on “Monday Night Football,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Burrow’s status had been in question after he re-tweaked his calf during the 27-24 Week 2 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens (2-1).

The 26-year-old signal-caller suffered the calf injury early on in training camp, and didn’t appear to be 100% to start the season. In the loss to the Ravens, Burrow completed 27-of-41 passes for 222 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The subpar performance followed a disastrous one in the 24-3 Week 1 defeat to the Cleveland Browns (2-1), in which Burrow threw for just 82 yards on 14-of-31 passing.

Burrow didn’t practice Thursday, with head coach Zac Taylor calling him “day-to-day.” He did, however, practice in limited fashion Friday.

“We’ll see,” Taylor said. “It’s really day-to-day. We’ll have conversations and see where it goes.”

Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase said Friday he didn’t want Burrow to play until he’s fully recovered from his calf injury. Chase added he didn’t believe Burrow was 100%, and if he had to guess, wouldn’t suit up Monday. Nonetheless, Burrow will look to turn the Bengals’ season around against the Rams in a Super Bowl LVI rematch.

Bengals receive good news with Joe Burrow expected to play

With Burrow expected to give it a go, Cincinnati avoids the scenario where fifth-year quarterback Jake Browning has to make his first-career NFL start.

Browning, the former Washington standout, has attempted just one pass in the NFL — an incompletion in Week 1 against Cleveland. Browning had the opportunity to establish a rapport with Cincinnati’s first-team offense with Burrow sidelined during training camp. Receiver Tee Higgins went as far to call Browning a “baller.”

“He made good reads… a baller,” Higgins said earlier this week. “A guy that goes out there and does his job well. He’s got way more confidence with the offense and he was being a vocal leader as he should be. He’s definitely built some confidence [with the receivers].