The Cincinnati Bengals did not breach the NFL’s injury policy in the lead-up to quarterback Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 11, according to sources from the league as reported by ESPN on Saturday.
An inquiry by the NFL was initiated to explore why Burrow was not included in the injury report preceding the November 16th game against the Baltimore Ravens. A pre-game social media post by the team, featuring Burrow wearing a compression sleeve on his right hand as he disembarked from the team plane in Baltimore, raised questions. However, this post was later removed.
Burrow sustained a torn ligament in his right wrist during the game against the Ravens, recalling feeling a pop when making a touchdown throw to running back Joe Mixon. The injury occurred shortly after Burrow was hit by Ravens defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
Post-game, both Bengals coach Zac Taylor and players asserted they were unaware of any pre-existing wrist injury Burrow might have had before the tear occurred. On November 17th, when Taylor announced that Burrow would be sidelined for the remainder of the season, he attributed the injury to the acute impact of Clowney’s hit. Burrow and Taylor emphasized that the compression sleeve was unrelated to the injury.
Burrow underwent successful surgery on November 27th to repair the torn ligament and has since been present with the team as he embarks on his recovery. CBS was the first to report the NFL’s conclusion that the Bengals had not violated any rules in this regard.
