Former NFL doctor weighs in on Joe Burrow injury, provides opinion on diagnosis

Don’t lose hope yet, Bengals fans. After Joe Burrow suffered an injury during training camp on Thursday, former NFL doctor David J. Chao provided an optimistic diagnosis.

“By distanced video, appears to be right calf muscle strain. Doesn’t appear to be Achilles. This is the non ACL side. Could miss significant training camp time and gastroc strains do linger,” Chao wrote on Twitter.

The injury occurred during a non-contact play when Burrow scrambled behind the line. Head coach Zac Taylor’s comments after the incident coincide with Chao’s evaluation. According to Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Kelsey Conway, Taylor stated Burrow’s injury seemed to be a calf-related issue.

BREAKING: Joe Burrow was just carted to the locker room, after going down on a play during 11-on-11.

🎥 Video of the play, and Joe leaving the field:#Benagls @WCPO pic.twitter.com/FPl1PQ8O4c

— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) July 27, 2023

It isn’t the first time the LSU product has struggled with injuries. In his rookie year, Burrow suffered a season-ending left ACL tear. Nonetheless, Burrow has been excellent since, competing in 16 games each of the past two seasons.

In the 2021 season, Burrow led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance, ultimately falling to the Los Angeles Rams. Last year, Cincinnati came up just short again, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.

In three seasons, Burrow already has 11,774 passing yards and 82 touchdowns compared to just 31 interceptions. The 6-foot-4 quarterback boasts a 68.4% completion rate and was a Pro Bowler in 2022. Only time will tell how the injury will affect Burrow’s impending payday.

Effect on Joe Burrow’s impending contract?

Entering his fourth year in Cincinnati, Burrow is due for a new contract. After Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert recently signed the most lucrative deal in NFL history, fans speculated even more money was heading Burrow’s way.

However, Burrow was not worried about his pay even before he was injured on Thursday.

“I’m focused on getting a deal done that’s good for us, good for me, good for the team, and good for everybody,” Joe Burrow said Wednesday after the Bengals finished their first training camp practice. “The whole goal when you get in the league is to get a second contract,” Joe Burrow said. “I’ve played well. I’ve done everything you can do. It gets done when it gets done.”

Eerily, Burrow was asked if attending training camp was necessary with all his prior success. The QB gave an answer only a franchise leader could give.

“I’ve wasted enough days over the last two years with injuries, appendicitis, COVID year before that,” Burrow said. “I don’t want to get out of camp wishing I had seven more days that I could have got better. So that’s the reason I’m here.”