Bengals' Burrow: 'Ridiculous' that tight back would keep me out - ESPN

CINCINNATI — A back injury isn't going to keep Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow from playing this weekend against the Houston Texans.

Burrow is dealing with back tightness following the team's Week 1 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He made no significant throws during the open portion of practice and, when asked about his workload Wednesday, said he got in «mental reps.»

But the idea of not facing the Texans for precautionary reasons?

«That's ridiculous,» Burrow said.

Burrow isn't sure when he sustained the injury but said he started to feel soreness in the hours following Sunday's game. He was sacked only once. However, he took a hard hit when scrambling for a first down. The play extended the drive, which ended with a touchdown pass.

Even in hindsight, Burrow was OK with the result.

«I was comfortable with it,» Burrow said. «It was either that or kick a field goal. It's a decision that I made.»

The two-time MVP finalist has dealt with injuries during much of his seven-year career. Last season, a turf toe injury forced him to miss nine games in the middle of the season. It was the third time he had been placed on injured reserve.

Throughout the offseason, Burrow talked about an increased level of urgency heading into this season. After making deep playoff runs in 2021 and 2022, including a Super Bowl appearance at the start of that run, Cincinnati has missed the playoffs in each of the last three years.

His heightened expectations for this season will not play a role in his decision to play in Houston. «I think every game is important,» Burrow said. «I'll do what it takes to be out there. If I'm not having surgery, I'll be out there.»

Burrow is used to playing through injuries. In 2022, Burrow didn't