One week into the season, and the alarm bells are already ringing
Joe Burrow was limited in practice on Wednesday. Cincinnati’s quarterback is dealing with back stiffness and does not even know when it happened, somewhere inside the 33-27 win over Tampa Bay on opening day. The answer to the only question anyone cared about came quickly enough.
“Every game matters,” the 29-year-old said at his press conference. “I will do whatever it takes to get on the field. If I don’t need surgery, I’ll play.” Which means Burrow is heading to Houston on Sunday, full practice or not.
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Six seasons, three full ones
That comment carries extra weight when you look at the recent past. Burrow played only eight games last season after surgery on turf toe. Zoom out and the three-time Pro Bowler has reached the 16-game mark just three times in six pro seasons. Staying available has become his hardest job, well before you get to the question of how well he plays.
Against the Buccaneers the numbers held up fine: 25 completions on 35 attempts, 254 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The real problem sat elsewhere. Ja’Marr Chase, a five-time Pro Bowler, caught two passes for 12 yards. Head coach Zac Taylor did not reach for excuses and said he would find a way to get his star receiver more involved.
Houston is no soft landing
The trip could hardly come at a worse moment for a banged-up quarterback. Houston’s defense is built around Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, two elite pass rushers, and Taylor admitted his team has “a lot of work to do”. The Texans arrive off a messy 36-31 loss to Buffalo, the second-highest points total they have allowed since DeMeco Ryans took over. That is a defense with something to prove.
The head-to-head record tilts the same way. Houston have won nine of the last 11 meetings between the two teams, including playoff wins in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Cincinnati land at NRG Stadium at 1-0, the Texans at 0-1, and Burrow is already on a tightrope.
in your pocket.
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