The 2023 season hasn’t gone the way Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals thought it would go, at least so far.
Burrow suffered a calf strain early in training camp that forced him to the sideline for about a month. He made himself available for the season opener, a disastrous 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, and he played poorly, completing only 14 of 31 passes.
On the season, he has a dismal 57.6 percent completion rating, only two touchdown passes against two interceptions and a meager 69.1 passer rating.
Cincinnati is 2-2, and although it is playing the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the Cardinals are better than their roster may indicate.
Burrow is still nursing his injured calf, and sports medicine physician Dr. Jesse Morse says that although the ailment is improving and Burrow may “show signs of life” in Week 5, the signal-caller is risking an Achilles injury.
Teammate Ja’Marr Chase publicly made it clear that he felt Burrow should sit out until his calf has fully healed. But it is a difficult situation for a Bengals team that cannot afford to lose ground in the race for a playoff spot, especially this early in the season.
There is definitely precedent for a calf strain quickly turning into a torn Achilles. That is exactly what happened to NBA superstar Kevin Durant when he returned a month after straining his calf in 2019, and it took him only just over one quarter.
Burrow already suffered a severe injury as a rookie in 2020 when he tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee. An Achilles tear would mean missing up to roughly a year, which would mean he may not be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2024 season.
The Bengals already have other question marks beyond this season. While Joe Burrow recently received a huge contract extension, Chase and fellow star wide receiver Tee Higgins will soon be up for extensions, and the team may not be able to afford to keep both of them.
This season may be Cincinnati’s best shot at winning the Super Bowl, and that shot is slipping away with each week.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
