The Cincinnati Bengals have kept a pretty tight lid on the injury comeback progress and return timeline of quarterback Joe Burrow.
One thing the team can’t really control, though, is Burrow going out and looking great during pregame warmups before the Bengals kicked off against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the preseason.
There, Burrow ran sprints and threw some bombs down the field — all while not wearing a sleeve on the injured calf.
It was a big moment for Bengals fans and given Burrow’s popularity with most NFL fans in general, the response to this surprise development was overwhelmingly positive.
Not now… but soon. pic.twitter.com/PjblM23miN
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 11, 2023
Joe Burrow running on the field without issue 😍
You love to see it. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/dl3xM1nRdg
— WINCINNATI (@WINCINNATI_) August 11, 2023
Yesterday, major aggregator media accounts decided to say Joe Burrow might not be ready until Week 5.
Today, 5 weeks before kickoff, Burrow is on the field at Paycor running sprints and whipping 50-yard passes with no calf sleeve.
Funny how this stuff works.
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) August 11, 2023
I believe you can file this video under "great signs." First we've seen of Burrow doing anything besides watch and walk around since the calf strain. https://t.co/QkYttU4xbQ
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 11, 2023
“Almost heaven, Cincinnati…” https://t.co/lj3EKQY5Fe
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) August 11, 2023
“Reports of my calf have been greatly exaggerated” https://t.co/LYAFT3FcID
— Jerrie 🧡🐅🖤 (@_jerrbear_) August 11, 2023
The amount of media members out there that didn't grasp what Zac Taylor and Chase have said the past week is kind of hilarious in retrospect.
It has always been several weeks. He'll be out there Week 1. https://t.co/aFnCSDQZxE
— Patrick Judis (@PatrickJudis) August 11, 2023
Incredible he’s this active right before his scheduled leg amputation. https://t.co/Je7siGYGgC
— Jon (@JWag85) August 11, 2023
https://t.co/xmgzop5tr2 pic.twitter.com/APvht2bYri
— cat 🐅 (@joemfburrow) August 11, 2023
Great to see.
Looks like a calf worthy of a 6-yr/$330M extension to me. https://t.co/8BHtVf6qwV
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) August 11, 2023
#WhoDey 🐅 https://t.co/1RzHfwAeZk pic.twitter.com/EDUQONwic2
— Preston Conley (@P_Con32) August 11, 2023
Remember, Burrow has been doing his rehab work out of the public eye while the Bengals practice. Working his way through the rehab process.
Coaches, staff were aware of this progress. Hence why there has been little concern about Burrow when talking to folks around the club. https://t.co/wcNBtS1bOt
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 11, 2023