CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow, the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, made a bold decision to play in Monday night’s game despite reaggravating a strained right calf. Burrow’s determination paid off as he played every offensive snap and helped lead the Bengals to their first win of the season, a 19-16 victory against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Bengals were facing the possibility of a three-game losing streak, which was a significant factor in Burrow’s decision to push through the injury and take the field. Burrow acknowledged the risk of reinjuring his calf but felt that being there for his teammates and avoiding a 0-3 start outweighed the potential setbacks.
In the game, Burrow completed 26-of-49 passes for 259 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. While he admitted that he and the offense need to improve, their performance was enough to secure the win. The defense played a crucial role, with linebacker Logan Wilson recording two interceptions and the team tallying six sacks while holding the Rams to just one touchdown on four red zone drives.
Burrow revealed that he had gone through a workout on Monday morning and felt good enough to play. His criteria for confidence was simply not experiencing any setbacks. After practicing on Friday and Saturday, he felt assured of his ability to play and communicated that to the team.
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase had been vocal about Burrow not playing unless he was fully healthy, but Burrow’s determination impressed him. Chase remarked on Burrow’s toughness, stating that there aren’t many quarterbacks like him. Burrow responded by assuring Chase that he would involve him heavily in the game plan against the Rams, and he delivered on that promise. Chase finished the game with 12 catches on 15 targets for 141 yards.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor took a calculated risk by calling a play that involved Burrow rolling out to his right with no protection. The play resulted in a big 43-yard completion to Chase, testing Burrow’s calf. Taylor revealed that the decision to expose Burrow in that way was discussed beforehand, and both he and the quarterback felt comfortable with it.
Burrow was cautious about extending plays and quick to throw the ball away to protect himself. Despite being sacked twice and hit six times, including two hits from Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Burrow stayed on the field until the end of the game.
Burrow understands that his calf injury could flare up again throughout the season, but Monday’s game was a promising sign. The Bengals now look ahead to their upcoming road game against the Tennessee Titans, and Burrow believes that getting through this game without setbacks will make them stronger moving forward.
“We didn’t have any setbacks today, but it’s still day-to-day,” Burrow said. “I’ve learned through this process that it can happen at any time. It was good to get through this one. And that means we’ll be stronger for this week.”
Burrow’s determination and resilience have earned him respect from his teammates and fans alike. Despite the risks, he prioritized being there for his team and helped lead them to victory. As the Bengals continue their season, Burrow’s performance will be crucial to their success.