Joe Burrow removed from Bengals injury report after lingering calf injury

Is Joe Burrow, the talented Bengals quarterback, finally healthy, after dealing with a nasty strained calf for two-plus months?

If you’re reading the tea leaves, otherwise known as the daily injury report, Wednesday was the first time Joe Burrow didn’t show up on the list. Any player who is limited in any way during practice shows up on the list. There were fives names on the list, but no Burrow. Maybe it’s time to pop some champagne.

Burrow did a post-practice press conference with the Cincy media Wednesday afternoon. And he proclaimed, “This is the best I’ve felt after a game.” And he added that he’s “optimistic” he’ll be able to do more as he continues to feel better.

Burrow strained his calf during the opening week of Bengals training camp in late July. He missed the rest of training camp. When the regular season started in early September, doctors cleared him to do anything in practice. But keep in mind, the quarterback is the safest play in practice since no defender ever is allowed to hit him. He has yet to miss a start. This Sunday will be no different.

Although Burrow has gritted through the first three games, it’s obvious his calf wasn’t healty. Then he reaggravated the strain after the second game. And it’s no surprise that without their dynamic QB at full health, the Bengals are 1-3. That includes last week’s 27-3 humiliation at the hands of the Titans.

“We’re adding a little more each week,” Joe Burrow said. “Today felt good. Hoping to do a little more tomorrow and a little more the next day. I’m optimistic for that part of my game.”

Although it’s only early October, the Bengals games suddenly are evolving into must wins. The way they started the season didn’t leave them much wiggle room on how they can end it, given that their goals always involve the Super Bowl. They’re also looking to make the AFC championship for the third straight year.

So far, as Burrow struggles, so does the Bengals offense. Cincy is at the bottom of the NFL in total offensive yards gained (944). And the Bengals have scored the fewest offensive touchdowns (three). ESPN Stats & Info says the the 2017 Miami Dolphins are the last team to qualify for the playoffs scoring fewer points than the Bengals.

It all makes a road game at Arizona against the Cardinals a must win. A victory would be the Bengals first on the road this season.

Joe Burrow knows the anemic stats. And he’s well aware of the 1-3 record.

“That’s not near good enough,” Burrow said. “We’ve got a ways to go. But we have the guys in that room to do it. We have the coaches to do it. So we’re going to continue to get better in practice and put our best foot forward.”