The Cincinnati Bengals officially placed quarterback Joe Burrow on injured reserve on Saturday, signaling the end of his season. Burrow sustained a season-ending right wrist injury during the team’s Week 11 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on November 16.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor had previously indicated on Friday that Burrow would be formally put on injured reserve by the weekend’s conclusion. Additionally, Taylor mentioned that the quarterback was likely to undergo surgery to address a torn ligament in his wrist.
Stepping into the starting role for his inaugural NFL appearance is Jake Browning, who joined the team in 2021 and secured the backup position for this season. AJ McCarron, in his second stint with the Bengals, was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4).
Despite Burrow’s absence, he remained present at the team facility in downtown Cincinnati throughout the week. Coach Taylor expressed the positive impact of having Burrow around, noting that he lifts the team’s spirits and contributes value even when not on the field.
Burrow’s season has been marred by injuries, starting with a strained right calf on the second day of training camp. After nearly five weeks of recovery, he returned for the season opener on September 10 but suffered a reinjury in Week 2 against the Ravens. It took until Week 5 for Burrow to appear fully recovered, showcasing a league-high 73.4% completion rate until his recent wrist injury.
Leading up to the Week 11 game, a social media post briefly featured Burrow wearing a compression sleeve on his right wrist, though he claimed it was unrelated to the injury sustained during the Ravens game. The injury occurred when he was tackled by defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, with Burrow feeling a pop in his wrist one play later as he completed his throwing motion.
Burrow’s season statistics include a 68% completion rate, 2,309 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Following Burrow’s injury, Drew Plitt was signed to the practice squad, providing the Bengals with three healthy quarterbacks.
In other injury-related updates, rookie running back Chase Brown, a fifth-round pick out of Illinois, rejoined the 53-man roster after being on injured reserve since October 28 due to a hamstring injury.
