Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is on track to suit up for the season opener. The former No. 1 overall pick is “all systems go” for Sept. 12 against the Vikings, per Dr. Neal ElAttrache (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). 
That’s welcome news for the second-year quarterback who is returning from severe knee injuries suffered in late November. The damage, which included ACL and MCL tears, put Burrow in a nine-month rehab program.
“I’m very optimistic about where I’m at and also where the team’s at,” Burrow said back in April (via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby). “Rehab is going very, very well. Lifting is going very, very well. I’m in great shape. Legs feel good. Knee feels good…There’s still opportunities for setbacks. But the way I’m feeling right now, I’m very optimistic that I’ll be ready Game 1.”
The former Heisman Trophy winner finished his injury-shorted season with 2,688 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just five interceptions through nine-plus games. Burrow did it all in spite of his patchwork offensive line — Bengals coaches say they’ll do a better job of protecting him this year.
The Bengals re-signed Brandon Allen this offseason, but the hope is that he’ll be holding the clipboard throughout 2021. Beyond Allen, the Bengals also have Kyle Shurmur, Collin Hill, and Eric Dungey on the offseason roster.
‘Bengals coaches say they’ll do a better job of protecting him this year.’
Did they not think of this last year, or previous years for other QB’s?
I think the Bengals were dead last in time of possession prior to drafting Joe so there was little chance of anyone on offense being on the field long enough to get injured.
Well, they spent first rounders on the OL in both 2018 and 2019 – the former being a bust, the latter looking OK after a year’s delay reaching the field – so I’d say, yeah, they were thinking about it the last few years. They were thinking about it when they signed Bobby Hart to a three-year deal back in 2018, too, although not very clearly, it seems.
I didn’t make that statement, simple copy & paste. And yes, it’s a terrible statement to declare. It’s also why they’ll always be the Bungles.
Lol why did you pick that picture??
Looks like an outtake from “Weird Science”.
Only to be killed by week 7.
Quote Katie Blackburn “If he dies, he dies”
Burrow will prove to be the #1 or 2 QB in the division this coming year. I quietly like what the Bengals have done with the off season. They will be more of a force then people give them credit for.
He won’t prove anything if he’s dead behind that abysmal Oline
His grandma has really nice curtains…does the carpet match?