Cincinnati Bengals took one step closer to starting the 2024 season on Tuesday with mandatory minicamp kicking off in the Queen City.
On the first day of the minicamp, the media was able to hear from quarterback Joe Burrow, who continues to work his way back from wrist surgery.
After suffering his second season-ending injury, Burrow is not a stranger to the process of working his way back. So, on Tuesday he chose to look at the glass as half full when it comes to how this offseason has gone.
“I’ve had about 10 more weeks of offseason than anybody else,” said Burrow. “I feel really good about where I’m going to be at come training camp.”
Perhaps a longer offseason will propel Burrow into a stronger 2024 season, at least that should be the plan for all involved.
Burrow played in the first 10 games of the season last year before having to hang it up due to the injury to his throwing wrist. The game against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 16 was a loss for the Bengals in more than one way. That was the final time that Burrow suited up during the 2023 campaign.
Up until his injury, Burrow had 15 touchdowns to six interceptions with 2,309 passing yards and looked like a serious contender for an MVP. The Pro Bowl quarterback plans to get back to that level, but it takes some time.
“When you’re coming back from injury you’re learning to maneuver your body in new ways that you have not done in a while. So there’s going to be things that pop up, whether it’s the wrist or something else that you have to work through,” Burrow explained. “Coming back from an injury that happens every time. I’ve been through that. I know what that process is like. So I can handle it better now.”
Getting Burrow back to the high level of play that he operates is the biggest must for the Bengals this season, along with keeping him healthy.
Cincinnati will continue mandatory minicamp through Thursday before having over a month off until training camp begins and things ramp up for Burrow and Co.
