The Bengals made it to back-to-back AFC championships for the first time in franchise history with Joe Burrow fully healthy in 2021 and 2022. Now in 2023, just making the playoffs will hinge on the right wrist of their star quarterback.
Burrow had finally seemed to be healed from a preseason calf injury that limited his play over the first four games of the 2023 season. But on Thursday, against the Ravens, he suffered a torn ligament in his right wrist and will miss the remainder of the season, potentially derailing the Bengals' playoff hopes.
Despite the slow start, Burrow has still had a standout season, having completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,309 yards with 15 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Should Burrow miss any time, Jake Browning would be Cincinnati's next starter. Browning attempted his first NFL pass in a Week 1 blowout against the Browns, and went 8-for-14 with 68 yards and a touchdown, while rushing four times for 40 yards in Thursday's loss to the Ravens.
The Bengals' hopes of back-to-back AFC North titles were all but dashed with the loss. And with Cincinnati sitting at 5-5 in a crowded AFC playoff race, an extended absence by Burrow would be a massive blow to chances of even making the wild card.
MORE: Explaining league injury report policy that relates to Joe Burrow's wrist injury
Is Joe Burrow out for the season?
Burrow will miss the remainder of the 2023 season. During his Friday press conference, Bengals coach Zac Taylor announced he had suffered a torn ligament and will require season-ending surgery.
There has been no reporting as of yet whether he will miss any time at the start of the 2024 campaign, however, given that he will likely be having the surgery as soon as possible.
With Burrow out, Browning will take over as the starter for the remainder of the year.
What is Joe Burrow's injury?
The Bengals initially believed Burrow had sprained his wrist during the Thursday loss to the Ravens. However, an MRI Friday morning revealed that he had torn a ligament in his wrist, which will require season-ending surgery.
In the second quarter of the "Thursday Night Football" game against the Ravens, Burrow was brought down by Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney after completing a pass to running back Joe Mixon. He landed awkwardly on his hand, but stayed in the game.
The next play, Burrow completed a touchdown pass to Mixon, but immediately grabbed at his wrist. He attempted to warm up on the sideline, but could not grip the football.
Burrow explained on Friday that he felt a pop in his wrist on the touchdown throw to Mixon. He explained after the game, he had a feeling before he received the news that it wouldn't be a great prognosis. He also confirmed that while he is still gathering information on what's next, surgery appears to be in his future.
"Everything that I've seen so far is that surgery is going to be needed. You know I haven't had the conversations yet. I just had the MRI this morning, and we watched the tape and then we had the team meeting so I haven't really had the time to have those discussions with the people that I'm going to be making the decision with," Burrow said.
MORE: A timeline of Joe Burrow's injury history
Joe Burrow injury timeline
— Wednesday, Nov. 15: A since-deleted video on social media appeared to show something on Burrow's hand. The league has since opened an investigation as to why the Bengals did not list Burrow on the injury report after he later injured his wrist.
— Thursday, Nov. 16: Burrow is brought down by Clowney after completing a pass to Mixon in the second quarter, and as he went down, he landed awkwardly on his right hand. The next play, he threw a touchdown to Mixon and immediately reached for his right hand. He attempted to warm up on the sideline, but could not grip the ball and had to be taken to the locker room. He did not return to the game, and was later revealed to have sprained his wrist.
— Friday, Nov. 17: Burrow underwent an MRI Friday morning, and it confirmed that he will miss the rest of the 2023 season with a torn ligament in his right wrist.
