Bengals: Joe Burrow Season-Ending Injury Casts Doubts On Cincinnati’s Super Bowl aspirations

The Cincinnati Bengals are in a hole right now after learning that starting quarterback Joe Burrow is done for the season.

The 2021 NFL Comeback Player of the Year reportedly suffered a torn ligament on his right wrist in the Bengals’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, November 16. After undergoing an MRI, it was found that Burrow had suffered an acute injury, ESPN reported.

“It’s tough,” Burrow rued. “You work so hard for seasons and moments like these. Whenever you get hurt and it ends early, it’s tough to handle. That’s a part of the game.”

Bengals turn to Browning

With Burrow out for the season, the Bengals pin their hopes on Jake Browning who took over from Burrow against the Ravens on Thursday.

“He’s a big part of this team obviously,” Browning said. “But I’m not going to hide the fact that I’m excited for my opportunity. I think everybody in here, including Joe, kind of knows that.”

This marks the second time in the 26-year-old’s NFL career that he has suffered a major injury. The first one happened in his rookie year in 2020 when he suffered multiple torn ligaments in his left knee when the Bengals lost to Washington in Week 11 at the time.

It wasn’t also the first time that Burrow dealt with an injury this season. He suffered a strained right calf earlier this 2023-24 NFL season, forcing him to miss several weeks.

Is this the end for the Bengals?

With Taylor, someone that many felt gave Cincinnati a good shot at winning the Super Bowl, out, the Bengals face a tough road ahead.

Of course, there is a chance Browning could step up and perform well. The same holds for AJ McCarron, a familiar name who has spent time on the Bengals’ practice squad, CBS Sports noted.

Aside from Browning and McCarron, the Bengals may consider getting an NFL veteran from free agency. Among the names that they could look into include:

1. Matt Ryan
2. Joe Flacco
3. Reid Sinnett
4. Nick Foles
5. Trevor Sieman

Whatever Bengals coach Zac Taylor decides, he needs to do so fast.

The Bengals face the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday, November 26. They are -5 point spread favorites over the Steelers per the Action Network.

The Moneyline for this game is -250 for Cincinnati and +205 for Pittsburgh.