What was supposed to be a run toward the Super Bowl has turned into a meatball of concern for the Cincinnati Bengals so far this season.
They’re 0-2 and find themselves nursing a strained calf that quarterback Joe Burrow originally suffered early in training camp and re-aggravated during their Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase previously said Burrow should sit out until he’s fully healed, and he has reiterated that stance while admitting that Burrow getting a cart ride with team owner Mike Brown is a bad sign, per Jay Morrison.
Ja’Marr’s not breaking any news, but he doesn’t think Burrow is playing, nor does he think Burrow’s cart ride with Mike Brown was a good sign. pic.twitter.com/dO2n7Tab2l
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 22, 2023
Chase was asked if Burrow was 100 percent in the first two games of this season, and he said he doubts it.
Judging by Burrow’s stats in those games, perhaps he wasn’t even close to 100 percent — he completed only 56.9 percent of his passes and put up a very poor 70.6 passer rating.
The Bengals offense, which was supposed to be one of the best in the entire NFL, currently ranks 30th in points and last in total yards.
On Monday night, they will play against the Los Angeles Rams, a team that was expected to be awful but has shown definite signs of life.
Rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua, a fifth-round draft pick, already has 266 receiving yards, which is second in the league, and he leads everyone with 25 receptions.
With contests against the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals following the tilt with the Rams, as well as a bye in Week 7, this would seem to be a good time to rest Burrow for his own good and that of Cincinnati.
NEXT: Recent Video Shows Joe Burrow On The Practice Field
