Joe Burrow has proven to be one of the league’s top quarterbacks over the course of his career, but injuries have been a factor in that span as well. The Bengals’ franchise passer is in the midst of rehabbing the dislocated wrist which ended his 2023 campaign, and his mindset in doing so is different than in years past. 
Burrow was not on a pitch count during OTAs and minicamp, an encouraging sign of his progress in recovery so far. When speaking about his status, he added he is still not 100%, but he should be at full strength in time for the start of the regular season. Remaining healthy for a full campaign will be critical for Cincinnati’s success, and the former No. 1 pick noted his history of being sidelined when addressing his most recent ailment.
“Whenever the injuries start to stack up, your football mortality kind of comes into the back of your mind,” Burrow said (via NFL.com). “So that’s definitely something I’ve thought about and something I have had to fight through.”
The 27-year-old (who is attached to the five-year, $275MM extension he signed last offseason) has suffered multiple torn ACLs in his career, and a calf strain suffered last summer had an impact on his 2023 performance prior to the wrist injury which shut him down. Burrow has played through pain on a number of occasions, but he and the team have adopted a different strategy this year in that regard. Focus will be placed on a slower rehab process as the offseason unfolds with an emphasis on being at full strength for the fall.
“That’s something we’re being more proactive about this year,” the LSU alum added. “We don’t have to be ready to go in the middle of June. We have to be ready to go early September through February. That’s how we’re attacking this offseason and this rehab plan and these practices and training camp.”
Jake Browning is still in place as Cincinnati’s backup quarterback after he generally fared well in Burrow’s stead last season. If all goes according to plan, the former UDFA will not be counted on nearly as much in 2024, of course, but Burrow’s status will remain worth monitoring throughout the summer.