Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is dealing with back tightness following the team’s Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he expects to play Sunday against the Houston Texans. Burrow was limited in Wednesday’s practice.
The Cincinnati Bengals head into Week 2 with an injury concern surrounding star quarterback Joe Burrow. Following a 33-27 season-opening victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Burrow reported experiencing discomfort in his back that limited his participation during Wednesday’s practice session.
Practice Limitations and Recovery Timeline
Burrow was officially listed as limited on Wednesday’s practice report, taking part in a slow walkthrough without significant throwing during the individual position group start. During the media-open portion of practice, he threw at a distance of about 15 yards alongside Joe Flacco, but he did not participate in stretches. The three-time Pro Bowler said he is not sure how much he’ll practice the rest of the week, though he stated that mental reps will help him prepare.
Photo: thescore.com
The quarterback noted that he could not pinpoint the exact moment the injury occurred during Sunday’s game, stating that the discomfort only set in after the victory. During the season opener, Burrow completed 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards, recording one touchdown and one interception while also rushing five times for 20 yards. He also took a hard hit to his throwing shoulder by linebacker Alex Anzalone while diving for a first down in the red zone during the first half, though he finished the game without any noticeable issues.
Addressing reporters during his Wednesday news conference in Cincinnati, Burrow discussed the issue, calling the injury “back tightness” and stating, “I feel good.” He added, Just normal game day soreness, that’s for sure, but I will be all right.
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Burrow dismissed any speculation that he might sit out Sunday’s road matchup against the Houston Texans as a precaution.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Burrow added that playing through physical pain is an inherent part of the sport.
“That’s part of football since you were a kid. People that played tackle football from third grade like I did, all contact sports, that’s part of the game. We have been dealing with this since we were little. It’s no big deal.”
He emphasized his commitment to playing through minor ailments when surgery is not required, offering a blunt assessment of his availability.
“Every game is so important to me, I’m going to do what it takes to be out there. If I’m not getting surgery, I’m going to be out there.”
Joe Burrow, via ESPN
Burrow also mentioned regarding his status that he expects to play Sunday on the road against the Houston Texans.
Historical Injury Context and Backup Plan
Burrow’s recent injury history naturally creates heightened sensitivity surrounding his status, having missed 22 of 107 games in his NFL career.
Burrow has additionally missed time in either practice or games due to an appendectomy, as well as finger, knee, and strained calf injuries. He was limited with a knee injury during two weeks in December of 2021, but still played that Sunday, and the same was the case for a month in December of 2024.
Joe Burrow dealing with back tightness ahead of Week 2 matchup vs Texans | Latest Injury News
To guard against potential absences, the Bengals signed Flacco to a one-year, $6 million contract this offseason as insurance for any Burrow injury, after loving the impact and performance the 41-year-old offered the team following his acquisition from the Cleveland Browns via trade in October. Flacco even dealt with an AC joint sprain in his shoulder last season and was deemed 50-50 to play against the Chicago Bears, but powered through and racked up a career-high 470 yards in a 47-42 loss. Flacco threw for 1,664 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in six starts and nine total games with the Bengals.
Despite his back tightness, Burrow maintains that mental repetitions will help him prepare for Sunday as the Bengals attempt to start 2-0 for the second straight season.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
