Joe Burrow has been among the best quarterbacks in the NFL since he arrived in the league in 2020. The problem, as with many players, has been staying healthy.
During the Bengals' "Thursday Night Football" matchup with the Ravens, Burrow threw a touchdown pass to running back Joe Mixon and immediately reached for his wrist. He went to the locker room late in the first half, and did not return as the Bengals ultimately fell, 34-20, in a pivotal AFC North matchup.
All eyes will now be on Burrow's wrist. He was limited early in the season with a calf injury, and a wrist injury could further jeopardize the Bengals' hopes of a playoff run in 2023.
His calf and wrist injuries in 2023 have made it the most injury-marred season to date, but he has dealt with other ailments in the past. Here's a look at his timeline of injuries since he began playing in college.
MORE: Latest updates on Burrow's wrist injury
Joe Burrow injury history
— August 2017: It is possible that this injury is the most impactful in Burrow's career, even if it was his first. Before the start of Ohio State's 2017 season, Burrow broke a bone in his throwing hand, which wound up costing him the start of the season. Though he was not slated to start, he was next in line behind starter J.T. Barrett. His injury shifted Dwayne Haskins up to the backup role, which ultimately helped him secure the starting role at Ohio State for 2018 and prompt Burrow's transfer to LSU. Burrow did appear in five games for the Buckeyes in 2017 after the procedure, but late in the season, when Barrett was injured in a close game against Michigan, Haskins filled in and led the Buckeyes to the victory.
— January 2020: Burrow led the Tigers on a sensational run in 2019, with many calling it the best season ever by a college football team. But there were certainly some bumps and bruises along the way. In the second quarter of the national championship against Clemson, he was hit hard by Clemson linebacker James Skalski. Burrow was clearly playing through pain the rest of the game, but wound up finishing the game with the win. He downplayed the injury afterward but later said that he tore some cartilage in his ribs.
— November 2020: If Burrow's broken hand was his most impactful injury, then this was second. Just 10 games into his rookie season, Burrow was hit low against Washington while attempting to get a pass away, and he was clearly in immense pain. He had to be carted off the field, and it was later revealed he had suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, ending his 2020 season. In only 10 games, he was sacked 32 times.
— July 2022: Burrow enjoyed a period of health, with only a few minor hiccups along the way. But just when Burrow thought he was going to have his first fully normal preseason, he underwent an appendectomy, which sidelined him for much of the preseason. The impact was felt early as he and the Bengals got off to a slow start before he started to pick things up in the third week of the season.
— August 2023: Continuing the trend of battling through injuries to start the preseason, Burrow came up hobbling after rolling out and throwing a pass during training camp. It was later revealed he strained his right calf, putting the start of his season in doubt. Burrow wound up playing to begin the year, but got off to another slow start, and did not appear to fully return to health until Week 5.
— November 2023: Just when it appeared Burrow was really starting to click, things went sour for Burrow again. The Bengals quarterback was seen with something on his right wrist on Wednesday before the Bengals played the Ravens on "Thursday Night Football," and then during the game, after throwing a pass to Mixon, he doubled over and went to the sideline. Burrow attempted to throw passes, but couldn't grip the ball. He was later ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his right wrist that would require season-ending injury.
What is Joe Burrow's latest injury?
Burrow's latest setback is a wrist sprain, per Bengals coach Zac Taylor. Burrow had thrown the ball to Mixon but immediately bent down and clutched his wrist after the play.
On the play before throwing the pass, Burrow was brought down by Jadeveon Clowney, and appeared to land awkwardly on his wrist. It's also possible the injury was pre-existing, however, as it appeared in a since-deleted video that Burrow had a cast or a sleeve on his right wrist.
MORE: Did Joe Burrow have undisclosed wrist injury before 'Thursday Night Football'?
Burrow underwent an MRI Friday morning, which revealed a torn ligament that would require surgery and end his 2023 season. He said he did not know how long it would take for him to recover.
Joe Burrow injury timeline
— Wednesday, Nov. 15: Burrow is spotted by sleuths in a video shared by the Bengals on social media with something on his right wrist. The video was later deleted but threw into question whether something new could be wrong with the Bengals quarterback.
— Thursday, Nov. 16: Burrow is brought down by Clowney after getting a throw off to Mixon. Burrow appeared to land awkwardly on his right hand. The next play, he gets a quick throw off to Mixon for a touchdown, but, without being touched, immediately grabs his right wrist and goes to the sideline. He could not grip the football as he attempted to throw it and left for the locker room. He did not return to the game. Taylor says after the game that the QB has a sprained wrist.
— Friday, Nov. 17: Burrow was slated for an MRI Friday morning to further evaluate his wrist injury. The results confirmed a torn ligament that would end his 2023 season.
Sporting News may earn an affiliate commission through our links. The Sporting News' affiliates have no influence over the editorial content included in this article.
