Joe Burrow likely to miss preseason be ready for Bengals opener
Bengals franchise quarterback Joe Burrow told reporters on Tuesday he expects to miss the preseason but be ready for the September opener.
Joe Burrow spoke to the media on Tuesday about the progress of his rehabilitation from the knee injury he suffered during a November loss to the Washington Football Team. The Bengals quarterback expects to miss the preseason but be ready when they kick off the season the weekend of September 12.
Burrow spoke about how head coach Zac Taylor and the Bengals offensive staff tailored the offense to his strengths. Fellow rookie wide receiver Tee Higgins developed a good rapport with Burrow in the first 10 games of the season. The Bengals have an opportunity to have an elite offense led by Burrow.
Higgins and Tyler Boyd give the Bengals a pair of WRs that will challenge opposing defenses. Joe Mixon should return healthy from an injury-plagued season. The Bengals seem likely to add another players in the first or second round of the draft. Some speculation has been a WR near the top of the draft.
Burrow discussed the timetable of his return with ESPN on Tuesday. ESPN reported on Tuesday that Burrow is expected to begin throwing in February. Burrow stated that the rehab is expected to last nine to 12 months which would put him ready for the season opener on the low end. Burrow is optomistic.
"“That’s been the goal for me from the beginning…They say it’s a nine-to-12-month recovery, and the first game is exactly nine months from my injury. We are on pace to do it right now.There is obviously a long road ahead and there are opportunities for setbacks along the road, but as far as right now, it’s looking as good as it could for where I am at in the rehab process.”"
Joe Burrow said the first two weeks of the rehab process was "pretty miserable." Said he's not at 100 percent obviously but he feels pretty good.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) January 12, 2021
Burrow liked the progress the offense had as the 2020 season evolved. The Bengals averaged 9.4 points per game during a five-game span that began when Burrow was injured. With Burrow at QB, the Bengals scored over 30 points four times in the first 10 games. Without Burrow they did it once in six games.
"“I think they did a very good job of understanding what I do well and tailoring it to me early on…And I think I took steps later in the year that allowed us to open up the offense a little bit. The next step is just hitting on those deep balls.We were so efficient in the short passing game that when we start hitting on those deep balls, it’s going to be tough to stop us…I think they did a very good job of understanding what I do well and tailoring it to me early on…And I think I took steps later in the year that allowed us to open up the offense a little bit.The next step is just hitting on those deep balls. We were so efficient in the short passing game that when we start hitting on those deep balls, it’s going to be tough to stop us.”"
Burrow will have two new coaches that will impact the offense in 2021. The Bengals hired offensive line coach Frank Pollack over the weekend and Troy Walters will be promoted to WR coach. Cincinnati needs to upgrade its offensive line and are probably one more WR away from becoming a truly elite offense.
Troy Walters have successful track record developing WRs. dark. Next
The Bengals will likely lose A.J. Green in free agency. With Burrow, Boyd, Higgins and Mixon to build around the Cincinnati offense has a bright future. Second-year offensive tackle Jonah Williams, the Bengals 2019 first-round pick is a good start on the offensive line. Year three will be ctitical for Yaylor.