Any injury-related news is bad but when it’s surrounding Joe Burrow, that’s the worst-case scenario for the Cincinnati Bengals.
As the Bengals are battling the Chargers in a key AFC matchup with massive playoff implications, Burrow’s right pinky finger was bending in a way that it shouldn’t have been bending. The broadcast showed Burrow throwing the ball on the sideline and looking like he was in an immense amount of pain when the ball came out of his hand.
Yet, after Chidobe Awuzie picked off Justin Herbert to give Cincinnati the ball back with about a minute and some change remaining before halftime, Burrow took the field. There wasn’t much doubt that he would as we’ve seen Joey Franchise display toughness week after week.
The half ended with the Bengals failing to get points on the board despite getting the ball to midfield. Evidently, Zac Taylor avoided Burrow spiking the ball because he didn’t want to further damage his quarterback’s finger.
Zac calls off the spike and deep shot, apparently worried about Burrow's finger until they can take a closer look at halftime.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) December 5, 2021
Burrow clearly upset with not getting a chance to go for it.#Bengals will get ball to start 2H
Not ideal direction for Joe Burrow’s finger pic.twitter.com/V9DY1cBFzQ
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) December 5, 2021
Joe Burrow injured his pinky finger on throwing hand
We don’t have much information on this particular injury yet but we’ll continue to keep you all updated as we know more.
With Burrow taking the field for that final drive in the first half, however, it’s possible he continues to tough it out. This is a key game that has massive playoff implications but it’s not worth injuring Burrow’s finger for the rest of the season.
Again, we’ll continue to update you all as we learn more about Burrow’s injury and what it could mean for the Bengals.
UPDATE: Joe Burrow is warming up on the field to start the second half.
#Bengals QB Joe Burrow is out warming up to start the second half
— Richard Skinner (@Local12Skinny) December 5, 2021
UPDATE #2: Burrow is in the game but his pinky is swollen.
Joe Burrow’s throwing pinky finger is badly swollen. He tried to put a glove on it, but didn't like it and threw it away.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 5, 2021
He's still in the game and has been handing the ball off with his left hand. pic.twitter.com/lU8Ve0Eeo0