Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow led a touchdown drive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his first game action since undergoing wrist surgery late in the 2023 season.
Burrow went 5-7 for 51 yards and a touchdown on the Bengals opening drive. He connected with receivers both on short and intermediate passes down the field and went 2-2 on third down. He nearly completed a deep touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins in double coverage, but the Bucs defenders made a good play to knock the ball out of Higgins’ hands.
The former No. 1 overall pick also showcased his sharp accuracy and famously quick release, taking an average of 2.26 seconds to throw, according to Next Gen Stats.
Joe Burrow on that opening drive: 5-of-7 passing, 51 yards, 1 TD.
Averaged 2.26 seconds time to throw, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
3-of-4 passing on throws of 10+ air yards. Lone incompletion was the deep ball to Tee Higgins in double coverage that was batted away at the end.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 10, 2024
The 27-year-old quarterback was taken out of the game after just one drive. This was his first action since Nov. 16, 2023, as he missed the final seven games of the 2023 season with his wrist injury.
Burrow is unclear if he will see more action during the preseason, and said the decision is up to head coach Zac Taylor.
If Burrow does get more playing time before the regular season begins, he wouldn’t mind getting hit. Burrow went untouched during his debut, an unusual feat for the Bengals who have struggled with their offensive line since Burrow was drafted.
“It would probably help me mentally more than anything,” Burrow told reporters of getting hit, via ESPN’s Ben Baby. “Just understanding falling can hurt. Just get that thing hit one time before you’re out there in a real game.”
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This game also marked the first time Burrow has played in the preseason since 2021. Burrow was held out of the preseason in 2022 and missed all preseason action in 2023 as he battled a preseason calf injury.
The lack of preseason playing time for Burrow and many Bengals starters has been attributed as a reason for the Bengals’ early season struggles over the last two years. The Bengals went 1-3 to start the 2023 season, and 1-2 the season prior. When Burrow saw preseason time in 2021, the team began the year 2-1.
These slow starts have forced the Bengals to make up ground in the middle and end of the year to have a shot at qualifying for the playoffs. The Bengals successfully did so in 2022, returning to the playoffs after their Super Bowl run in 2021. They were unable to manage a turnaround in 2023 though, amid Burrow’s injury.
The Bengals have two remaining preseason games against the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts before their season begins.
