Bengals QB Joe Burrow 'excited' for NFL preseason reps, opportunity to get hit

How’s this for a strange Joe Burrow stat. The Bengals quarterback and former No. 1 NFL Draft pick, is starting his fifth season in the NFL. Yet in all his preseason games, he’s thrown only one pass.

So imagine what he might do Saturday night, when the Bengals play host to the Buccaneers. Yes, he will see some snaps, although it’s unclear how many the number will be.

“I’m excited for it,” Burrow told reporters earlier this week. “I’m excited to get these reps and have these reps to get better right now.”

The results of the game won’t matter. The first preseason game won’t be remembered by anyone once the season starts next month. But for Burrow, he would love to knock off some competitive rust.

The 2023 Bengals season seems like a waste since Cincinnati didn’t make the playoffs after appearing in the two previous AFC championship games. Burrow was hobbled most of the year. He strained his calf in the opening week of training camp last July and did next to nothing until the start of the regular season. In game two against the Ravens, he aggravated the strain. Then eight weeks later, Burrow tore a ligament in his right wrist. Coincidentally, the injury came against the Ravens in a much-hyped game on Thursday Night Football.

Burrow says Bengals preseason games are best way to fine tune for September opener

Burrow had surgery within days and missed the rest of the season. He’s back in Bengals camp with no restrictions. But if his past is any indication, he probably won’t see much action in August. Fox Sports noted that in four previous preseasons, he’s played one drive and thrown one pass. Back in 2020, Covid canceled the preseason. Then injuries and coaches choosing to be cautious limited his action in 2021 throough 2023.

It’s all why Burrow is looking forward to Saturday night at Paycor Stadium. He hasn’t played in a game since Nov. 16.

“I’m going to have the opportunity to get hit,” said the Bengals quarterback. “Maybe I get hit, maybe I don’t. It’s a game. It’s a scrimmage, but it’s a live scrimmage. That’s the best way to prepare for Week 1, I think. We’ll see, but I think we’re going about it the right way.”

Then, the Bengals will conduct joint practices against the Bears and Colts.

Reports out of Cincinnati suggest Burrow is lighting it up.

“He’s gotten such great work in practice,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor told reporters this week. “Obviously, no one is hitting him. But he’s getting great pocket work and he’s had great chemistry with the guys who have been out there. I don’t have any issues where he’s at.”