Joe Burrow grapples with 'football mortality' as wrist recovers - ESPN

CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow remained excited for the challenge of coming back from a wrist injury that ended his 2023 season.

But as the injuries accumulate in his career, the fifth-year Cincinnati Bengals quarterback opened up about the mental aspect of continually recovering from significant injuries, with the wrist issue the latest one he has to overcome.

«Whenever the injuries start to stack up, your football mortality kind of comes into the back of your mind,» Burrow said after Tuesday's mandatory minicamp. «So, that's definitely something I've thought about and something I have had to fight through.»

Burrow said it was tough to put a percentage on where he is at as he continues to come back from surgery in December that repaired torn ligaments in his throwing wrist. However, Burrow indicated he'll be «ready to go by the season.»

In his comments Tuesday, the quarterback who signed a five-year, $275 million extension last year maintained a message he has repeated throughout the offseason. As he prepares for the upcoming season and the start of training camp in late July, Burrow is trying to balance the intensity of his preparation with being rested for the start of the year.

Last week, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said the team established rest days for Burrow during the offseason program. He did not throw during the OTA practice open to the media on June 4.

Burrow said the approach has been great and is part of finding that balance.

«That's something we're being more proactive about this year,» Burrow said. «We don't have to be ready to go in the middle of June. We have to be ready to go early September through February.

»That's how we're attacking this offseason and this rehab plan and these practices and training camp.