Is Joe Burrow Playing In Week 1? Fantasy Football Injury Update

Is Joe Burrow Playing In Week 1? Is he ready to play in the Bengals' 2023 season opener? Read the fantasy football injury update.

At first glance, Joe Burrow’s injury during a practice session last July didn’t look good. He injured his calf without absorbing contact from a defensive player. The top overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft started to limp before being carted away.

Since then, several stories have surfaced regarding Burrow’s condition. His teammate since college, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, shared that Burrow signaled to him that he was okay. Chase also wanted his quarterback to take his time with the recovery, suggesting he return by Week 4.

Some football fans and experts speculated if their franchise play-caller suffered more than a calf injury. However, all theories and analyses have been answered after Burrow gave an update on his condition. Bengals fans can celebrate, to say the least.

Joe Burrow Believes He Will Play Week 1 Against Cleveland

The fourth-year NFL quarterback told reporters he expects to play during the season opener against their division rival Cleveland Browns. While he is confident in stepping into the field against their intrastate foes, he detailed that there were good and bad days during his recovery.

That Burrow was a full participant during their most recent practice is also a good sign for his return. He will participate in Thursday’s practice in full pads to determine if he’s comfortable with his movement.

However, calf injuries are tricky because they could re-appear when the player thinks he’s fully healed. Burrow must have no concerns about his mobility coming into Week 1 because the Browns defensive line will chase him all game.

Aside from Myles Garrett, the Browns bolstered their line by trading for Za’Darius Smith and signing Dalvin Tomlinson. Smith had ten sacks for the Minnesota Vikings last season. Meanwhile, Tomlinson had 42 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Garrett has 32 sacks over the previous two seasons.

Bengals fans hope for the best, and that Burrow won’t incur other injuries as his career progresses. In his rookie season, the former LSU standout has suffered ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus tear in his left knee. A year later, he dislocated his finger.

Last year, he suffered an MCL sprain during Super Bowl LVI and underwent appendectomy. While these setbacks will make him more formidable, a healthy Joe Burrow helps sustain Cincinnati’s long-term success. His return also gives his fantasy football owners a collective sigh of relief.