Burrow throws for two scores despite pass rush

It never seemed like there was a real chance Burrow would miss this game, even after Josh Johnson was elevated from the practice squad yesterday. Burrow will be on the QB1 line against a Texans defense looking to rebound. Inactive for the Bengals are: Johnson, WR Ke’Shawn Williams, CB Josh Newton, C Connor Lew, OL Myles Hinton, DT B.J. Hill (Achilles), and DT Landon Robinson.

The Bengals called up Josh Johnson from the practice squad over the weekend, raising some eyebrows regarding Burrow’s health. The move, however, was purely a precaution. Burrow has already said he is playing this week. He remains near the top of the QB1 ranks despite a tough matchup with the Houston defense.

This listing is effectively a formality. Burrow laughed off the idea of missing the Bengals’ game against the Texans earlier this week, and today, coach Zac Taylor said Burrow is “good to go” after practicing in full. Burrow’s status is, of course, worth following, but we do expect him to play. Treat him as a QB1, per usual.

Burrow was upgraded to a full participant in Friday’s practice and is good to go for Sunday’s game, per head coach Zac Taylor. Burrow was limited in the first two practices of the week due to back tightness, but that was likely more out of precaution than it was due to anything serious. Burrow profiles as a high-end QB1 against the Texans.

Burrow has been limited in each of the team’s first two practices, likely because the Bengals are exercising caution with their QB1. With one more practice to go before the Bengals release their final injury report, it sounds like there is no real concern about Burrow’s availability for Week 2 against a Texans defense looking to rebound from a tough season opener in which they allowed 36 points to the Bills. We will be sure to provide a final status for Burrow once the team announces it.

We knew Burrow was practicing, but we did not know whether he would upgrade to full participation. He remains limited, but beat reporters note that Burrow did far more today than he did yesterday. The Bengals’ quarterback skipped stretches before doing some light throwing on Wednesday. Today, he was suited up in pads and appeared to do everything up through individual drills. He likely sat out team drills, but that is not overly concerning. Burrow should be good to go as a QB1 this week. Hopefully, he upgrades to full participation tomorrow.

At this very moment, Burrow is suited up for practice, participating in warm-ups as he normally would. The official injury report will reveal whether he was limited or a full participant, but what we’ve seen thus far is a great sign. Consider Burrow a fantasy football QB1 unless we get news indicating otherwise.

Burrow also called it general game soreness and said he expects to play in Week 2. He even called the idea that he could sit as a precaution “ridiculous.” Burrow barely participated in practice today, skipping team stretching and throwing drills early in the session. At best, the team will list him as limited on the injury report later today. This seems like nothing more than maintenance for Burrow, though fantasy managers will want to keep tabs on the Bengals’ injury report throughout the week. Joe Flacco is the team’s backup.

Burrow is seemingly set for a limited session on Wednesday. He is not wearing pads and is reportedly “doing handoffs in a helmet and jersey.” This could simply be a planned load management day. Burrow will speak to the media after practice, so we could get an update later today. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said earlier this week that his team suffered no major injuries, so there is no reason to worry at this time.

As is tradition, Burrow was far from his best in the Bengals’ season opener, providing as many scores for the Bucs as he did the Bengals via his third quarter pick-six. Bucs rookie LB Josiah Trotter simply read Burrow’s eyes the whole way. As is not tradition, Burrow did at least soundly out-play his Week 1 quarterback counterpart, as Baker Mayfield was a turnover-marred disaster. Burrow really struggled to find Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins vs. an undermanned Bucs secondary, but he compensated for hitting Mike Gesicki for 5/78/1. The touchdown was a goal-line dart where the tight end rolled in to the end zone. Burrow must now head on the road vs. a far-better Texans defense, though Houston just got shredded beyond recognition by Josh Allen on Sunday.